Apple has had a great year. From releasing the iPhone X to topping the list of donors for (RED) – an organization that funds AIDS victims, 2017 has been kind to the tech giant. And things have been rosy in the entertainment department too. Well, at least according to Apple.
In a press release, Apple revealed that the four breakout trends for 2017 was the introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) apps and games, the rise of real-time competitive gaming, apps focused on mental health and mindfulness, and apps that revolved around storytelling and reading.
AR, especially, played a huge role, whether developed apps were geared towards children (My Very Hungry Caterpillar AR comes to mind), or delved in the traditional gaming sphere. 2017 also saw more Apple users wanting to chill out, as mental health and mindfulness apps grew in popularity, like Bloom and Zen Studio.
In terms of Apple Music, Ed Sheeran ruled the roost with both album of the year and top song, while Bruno Mars came in second, with a strong showing from K-pop artists like BIGBANG and G Dragon. As for movies, top flicks included Moana, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Wonder Woman.
And in case you’re wondering, below are 2017’s top iPhone apps, both free and paid:
Don’t dash through the snow cluelessly on the 24th of December clamouring for last-minute gifts or worse still, re-gift! Here at NYLON Singapore, we’re always thinking up the cookiest gifts to exchange with each other during the end-of-year festive period. Recently, Amazon just bought the rights to develop a Lord Of The Rings TV series that’s the only reason we need to sign up for Amazon Video, and yesterday’s launch of Amazon Prime in Singapore has us scrolling through its app Prime Now till no end. We admit we’ve been using Prime Now through the wee hours of night, so the infomercials playing on our TVs in the background might’ve affected our top suggestions for great office gifts this Christmas…
Call your colleages out out with these cutely-termed mints which are jokey enough to tickle their funny bone yet special enough they’ll know you pay attention to them over lunch and off-work-hours conversations. If you’re getting for a Ron Burgundy-type who loves an outdoor barbecue, these anthropomorphic-looking meat markers will make them think of you while they’re searing steaks, so you can bet they’ll leave you a portion the next time they try out some new recipe. Lip balms come in many flavours, but Cowgirl just gives us that “eeee haaa!” vibe when applying it on. Perfect for a colleague always on-the-go (we think), and even if it turns out to be just run-of-the-mill quality at least it’s got a funky design.
At this point bacon is more a lifestyle than ingredient. It can be incorporated into any meal of the day and, if you ask us frankly, mixed into any course. Just look at this selection of bacon-flavoured foods: there’s bacon salt to aromatise sauces for that extra kick, maple bacon chips which sounds like a perfect snack to munch over Christmas shows like our recent favourite movie Paddington, or hot sauce to one-up the heat of even the spiciest selection of instant noodles in the market!
Remember how a rich person on TV used to be defined by their ability to control their house by voice command? Now you can give anyone that ability with the Echo Dot set, that uses Alexa to perform a whole series of tasks, including play music, open doors and read the news. Or how about the latest Nintendo Switch which multitasks as a game set for one or two players with its removable side remote controls. If not, the Oculus Rift can visually transport anyone from the office to Outer Space, prehistoric times or even Hell (that’s what some people call their offices). Tech gifts aren’t just for geeks who fan-out over cartoons and video games. They’re great for anyone who wants to make their lives easier or inject fun during mundane times! Download Prime Now to use Amazon Prime for free shipping with a minimum spend of USD125and free international shipping with a minimum spend of $60 and free domestic delivery with a minimum spend of $40. Prime membership currently costs $2.99 per month, but usually costs $8.99. Header image: Amazon
Even if you didn’t know who (or what) Paddington is, you’ll definitely recognise the British bear with his trademark red hat and yellow coat.
Paddington 2 sees the little bear dig his claws into his paws as he tries to adapt to life with the Browns in London. All the neighbours except an old codger seems to take to little Paddington as the bear tries to find a job to earn money for his Aunt Lucy’s birthday present. Oh and if you weren’t sure who Aunt Lucy is, it’s Paddington’s aunt back in the Peruvian forests who practically raised him with the better morals than most teenagers have nowadays.
Ben Whishaw returns to voice the cuddly bear, with Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins reprising their roles as Mr and Mrs Brown. While they are the main stars, the one that really outdid himself was the antagonist. No thanks to Hugh Grant for taking Nicole Kidman’s place as the deliciously narcissistic star villain, Phoenix Buchanan, who is as self-absorbed as he is pompous.
Somehow, both Phoenix and Paddington have their sights set on the same pop-up book from the vintage antique store round the corner, but for entirely different reasons. While Paddington hilariously tries out various part time jobs that always ends with disastrous results to earn some cash to get the books ‘through the proper way’, Phoenix decides to just steal the book with his bountiful theatric costumes and theatric skills. Not only does Paddington sees the thief running away with his coveted book, he gets framed as the thief just because he was at the crime scene. Together with a vindictive judge, Paddington is packed away to jail for the next 10 years.
Of course with such a endearing personality, Paddington takes to jail with his mellow ways. Not only does Paddington manage to tame the prison kitchen’s overwhelmingly terrifying chef, he helps the other inmates realise their inner talents and hobbies, turning the entire prison into something of a resort, really. Not only does he makes friends with even the toughest of the criminals and gangsters, he manages to gain their sympathy as well.
Outside the prison, the Brown family works hard to clear Paddington’s name, taking it on themselves to do some undercover detective work since the police plain refuses to help them. Cue more ridiculous situations as the Browns chase all over town, and eventually onto a high-speed rail train in a cat-and-mouse-esque game just to catch the thief.
As awesome as the idea of having a thunder buddy like Ted (the other really popular anthropomorphic bear that has his own series of movies) would be, Paddington is a less crass, much more pleasant and lovable critter to watch on the screen. The CGI graphically animated film is pretty easy on the eyes, and is suitable for the whole family. While the storyline is pretty predictable (it’s targeted at kids after all), the whole movie is filled with pretty heartwarming scenes that makes your heart feel all warm and fuzzy. For the older ones – you get to relish in watching Hugh Grant don all sorts of costumes from an old man to a nun, and really.
Paddington 2 might be the sequel to an equally adorable movie that shows how Paddington ended up in London, it doesn’t really matter if you haven’t watched the original movie or know nothing about the original books by Michael Bond. Sequels also have a reputation for not being able to live up to the hype of the original, but it’s safe to say that Paddington is one of the rare few sequels that is as good – or even better – than the original. Returning Director Paul King doesn’t try to recreate the first movie and banking on the same winning formula, instead he teams up with new co-writer Simon Farnaby for more over-the-top adventures that are ridiculous – but that’s what makes it funny.
Plushie Paddington!
If you want to bring home a little Paddington cheer for yourself, you’re just in luck because Marks & Spencer has a limited edition range of Paddington goodies for the Christmas season. It would have been cool to have some of that delicious marmalade that Paddington is always carrying around, but we’ll have to settle for some lollies and chocolate boots that Paddington wears. There’s even cute little Paddington plushies that are selling as fast as we are writing this article – so be sure to get one if your really loved the movie!
Paddington 2 opens in cinemas today, 7 December, islandwide. The Paddington Bear X Marks & Spencer’s collection is now available at all Marks & Spencer outlets, while stocks last.
We’ve got gift guides so that you know what to get for the ever-lovable couch potato, that irritatingly cool millennial, the hardcore Apple fan, and the one with #wanderlust in his blood this Christmas season, but the hardest yet had to be shopping for the Youtuber and Snapchat Queens. These are the people who are constantly updating their lives on social media, and always seem to be on point with their outfits and accesories. So what do you get for your friends and family who seem like they’ve got everything they could possibly want?
Well, it’s pretty simple. Anything that helps to take better photos and videos is always a good bet; or you can look to get aesthetically pleasing gifts that your loved ones will be proud to show off on all their social media accounts. Just remember to subtly hint for them to tag you so that you can boast that you were featured on thatreallycoolperson’s Instagram.
1. Sunday Somewhere – Jar Jar Sunglasses in Gold, US$340, available atSundaySomewhere.com
Need to upload something to let your followers know that you’re still alive but you’re not exactly feeling up-to-scratch? Just pop on a pair of stylish sunnies – a fuss-free way of always being camera-ready. You’re welcome. 2. Nifti Things Like Button Oven Mitt, $19.97, available at amazon.com
Cooking and baking tutorials are super ideal for the aspiring Youtuber because even if your food isn’t good, a huge smile will fool your followers into thinking that you are an awesome cook! Although we don’t exactly condone this behaviour, the subtle hint when you pick up your food with this huge Like Button might influence your viewers to give you a like and hopefully a follow as well. 3. Gorillapod SLR-Zoom, $57.30, available at bhphotovideo.com
It’s not easy being a YouTuber or Snapchat Queen. It’s even more difficult getting your name out there, although using the right gear helps. If you’ve already got the camera, go for the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom – a mini-tripod that’ll help you frame your shots perfectly in almost any situation. After that, sit back, relax, and let your profile shine. 4. HP Sprocket Photo Printer, $199, available at hp.com
Digital once killed the print star (and stomped it down for good measure), but believe it or not, print is rising from the ashes, and in some cases, becoming digitised too. Case in point: the HP Sprocket is a cute, pocket-sized printer that enables to you print photos from your smartphone in a jiffy. It uses inkless paper, and lets you edit photos with emojis, stickers, and filters. How’s that for being digital, huh? 5. Subscribe Button Pillow, US$24.99, available at Throwboy.com
It’s all about the product placement when it comes to Youtube videos now. This throw pillow will definitely become a permanent addition to your filming couch, perfect for any vlog. now you don’t have to worry about post-editing the subscribe button onto your video because this cushion will take care of everything for you. No couch? No worries, because the super cushy pillow has a label on the back for you to hang it on the wall. Throwboy has thought of everything! 6. Neon Project Ice Cream Neon Sign, $295, available at neonproject.com.sg
The perfect backdrop for both your wall and your Youtube videos! You can personalise the colours of your ice cream so no one else will ever own the same ice cream. The sign comes with a dimmer and three different flicker modes – one of which will definitely show up on your camera. 7. LG Q6, $368, available at M1 StarHub and authorised LG retailers
Phones are getting better these days. But they’re also getting really expensive. It’s tough to find a decent performing phone on a budget, although the LG Q6 can solve all that for you. With a 5.5-inch FHD+ Full Vision display, and a pretty capable camera, this mid-range gadget gives you a whole lot of phone for a very cheap price, and that’s incredibly rare. 8. Firebox Monster Mushion, £24.99, available at Firebox.com
If you’ve got a big-headed mate who loves soaking up every last bit of attention, get them a supersized version of their face in the form of a giant cushion. Just upload a high-quality, portrait image of a friend’s face and Firebox will transform them into a massive 60cm x 40cm cuddly cushion for you. 9. K Is For Kani’s Floral Headpiece, starting from £16.69, available at Etsy.com
YouTubers and Snapchat Queens will adore these floral headpieces, handmade by blogger K is for Kani – it’s like wearing that Snapchat filter but in real life. They come in a range of nature-inspired colours, and will look good wherever you go. 10. Casio TR-M11, $699, available at Best Denki, Harvey Norman, and Challenger (Vivo City, NEX, Jurong Point)
Selfies have changed the way we take pictures. Our kids do it. Our parents do it. Heck, even our grandparents know how to work it. And smartphones have been the default photo-taking weapon of choice – till now, that is. Check out Casio’s TR-M11 – a new digital camera that promises to change your selfie game forever with filters, lighting effects, and a built-in ring light. 11. Take Better Selfies Lens Kit, £19.99, available at FireBox.com
Everyone aspires to take better selfies, and that’s entirely possible with this deluxe 5 in 1 phone lens kit that unlocks the full creative potential of any camera phone. With fish-eye, wide angle, macro, telescopic and CPL lenses, this kit will make all selfies look like they were professionally shot. 12. Burnt Impressions The Selfie Toaster, US$65, available at burntimpressions.com
It gets no butter than this – making sure no one ever steals your toast! This toaster will give you a lovely charred appearance. As if you cannot get more narcissistic, you can also choose to customise your toaster with your selfie to tell all your housemates that this is your toaster. All you need now is the selfie printing coffee machine and you are ready for a meal with your selfie.
Notice the “WIN” labels? We’re giving away all these items in our massive holiday gift guide GIVEAWAY — head over to our Facebook page and Instagram page daily to take part in our contests. More of NYLON’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guides, coming soon — stay tuned! Click here to see our full list of gift guides.
The Pokémon Go gloss may have lost most of its sheen since its early days, with current players limited to bored senior citizens and hardcore Poké fans, but the game is still going strong despite the apparent lack of hype. Case in point: Niantic has just announced a new update that sees the addition of 50 Pokémon and real-world weather.
Based off the Hoenn region from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the update will feature new Pokémon like Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip – third-gen starters that, you guessed it, are of the standard grass, fire, and water variety, as well as a selection of other cute pocket critters. It’s the weather, however, that brings about the biggest gameplay change.
Now, certain Pokémon types will get stronger in various weather conditions – including CP level and battle readiness. For instance, if your Charizard is battling when it’s hot and sunny, you can expect its power to be boosted dramatically. The same concept applies if you’re using a Lapras on a rainy day, or an Articuno when it’s snowing.
And because of these weather changes, it’ll get tougher to catch certain Pokémon too. Whereas once upon a time, catching a Squirtle may have been fairly easy on a “normal” day, but when the rain starts pouring, you can expect to give those Pokéball throws a few more tries.
It’s highly unlikely that this will propel Pokémon Go back to its former top dog status of must-download mobile game, but there’s no denying that the new update will make gameplay a whole lot fresher. And it comes at a good time too, as Niantic is busy rolling out a new Harry Potter AR game, so it’s interesting to note how they’ll handle this new update. Download Pokémon Go on the App Store or Google Play. Images: Niantic
Just last week we were rushing to get our collectible LINE friends handheld fans, but already McDonald’s has sucked us back into their world with an update of their Signature Collection: The Original Angus and Angus Mushroom Supreme are making their way to a spot on that menu!
The Original Angus $6.20, Mushroom Angus Supreme $6.70 a la carte
If the patties on these beauties look extra juicy, that’s because they’re beefier than those of other fast food burgers. Made with 100% Angus beef without fillers or additives, you’ll be sure to get every bang for your buck with every bite.
Why not top off your gourmet experience with an upgraded side of McDonald’s rendition of cheese fries? It’s the classic recipe we all love, plus nacho cheese and sour cream and bacon bits! Get a The Original Angus Extra Value Meal for $8.75 and Mushroom Angus Supreme Extra Value Meal for $9.30, or with the tried-and-tested Classic Angus Cheese Extra Value Meal for $10.95.
Cheesy Loaded Fries
From 7 December 2017, you’ll be able to order these burgers via McDelivery® and UberEATS. But mark your calendars, because while The Original Angus will be available 24/7, the Mushroom Angus Supreme and Cheesy Loaded Fries are limited edition and will only be available until they’re not! For more information, visit McDonalds. Images from McDonalds
From fresh florals to woody orientals, a fragrance can do more than just make you smell attractive. An intoxicating scent is one that will lift your mood as well as your confidence, so you might notice a slight shift in behaviour after a quick spritz. With this many perfumes out there, however, you might be expanding your fragrance wardrobe this festive season. Here’s our selection of fragrances to evoke every wonderful facet of Christmas.
1. CHANEL Gabrielle, $180 to $258, available at CHANEL Beauty boutiques and counters.
An ode to the inimitable Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, perfumer Olivier Polge selected a floral medley of ylang-ylang, jasmine, orange blossom, and tuberose, balancing its femininity out with velvety white musk and milky sandalwood before topping it off with a fresh zest of citrus notes. 2. Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, $115 to $240, available at Dior Beauty stores and counters.
The beloved Miss Dior fragrance has been given a sensual, modern upgrade. Here, the Grasse rose takes centre stage, allowing the citrus burst of Calabrian bergamot melt into the rose absolute, while Guyana rosewood and pink peppercorn pave a warm, enticing trail. 3. Glossier You Eau de Parfum, US$60, available at Glossier.com.
Founder Emily Weiss wanted to create a fragrance that enhances the wearer’s natural scent. Thus, Glossier You was born. The ambrette, ambrox, and musk base adapts, and when iris root and pink pepper is thrown into the mix, the result is creamy, clean, warm, and addictive. 4. Calvin Klein Obsessed for Women Eau de Parfum, $85 to $151, available at TANGS @ Tang Plaza, selected departmental stores, and Sephora.
Calvin Klein revisits the iconic Obsession fragrance to create their new Obsessed for Women. Neroli essence and violet leaf shine through in this delicate aromatic green scent, slowly enveloped by creamy musks for a sensual touch. 5. Jimmy Choo Blossom Set (60ml Eau de Parfum + 100ml Body Lotion), $118, available at Jimmy Choo boutiques and counters.
If you’re into feminine scents, then you’ll find your go-to party fragrance housed in Jimmy Choo’s faceted bottle with a lavish diamond-like cap. Give yourself a quick spritz and take in the refreshing citrus cocktail of red berries, roses, rich white musk and creamy sandalwood. 6. BVLGARI Goldea The Roman Night Eau de Parfum, available at Bulgari boutiques and counters.
What a Roman goddess would smell like, captured in Bulgari’s latest scent. A fruity-floral combination of mulberry and black peony on top, jasmine and tuberose at its heart, and a woody base of black musk, patchouli and vetiver, this opulent fragrance was made for a goddess, indeed. 7. Kenzo World Eau de Parfum, $96 to $164, available at all Sephora stores and Sephora.sg.
Opening with a burst of fruity florals, Kenzo World settles down to a warm feminine blend of peony and Egyptian jasmine, finished with a dash of Ambroxan to give it that unexpected edge we were looking for since its refreshingly ludicrous commercial. 8. Jo Malone Green Almond & Redcurrant Cologne, $218, available at Jo Malone stores and counters.
A festive fragrance that combines the tart juiciness of redcurrants and the zing of citrus, grounded by green almond, cedarwood, and tonka, Jo Malone’s new cologne is housed in an exclusive pink and green bottle crafted by Scottish designer Jonathan Saunders. 9. Byredo Velvet Haze Eau de Parfum, $191 to $281, available at escentials stores and escentials.com.
Inspired by the music and culture of the ’60s, Byredo’s latest fragrance Velvet Haze takes on the retro craze, blending creamy coconut with patchouli and vetiver before topping it off with a hint of cacao to create a light, woody scent. 10. Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum, $128 to $216, available at major departmental stores.
Capturing the irreverent spirit of the women of Gucci in a bottle, Bloom’s blend of tuberose and jasmine create an unexpectedly smooth and rich white floral fragrance, while Rangoon Creeper rounds off the scent with a powdery edge. 11. Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Eau de Parfum, available at Tiffany & Co. boutiques and counters.
Tiffany & Co.’s got every proposal covered, but they’re looking to make their mark as every bride’s go-to fragrance. Noble iris lies at the heart of this modern, artisanal scent, as notes of mandarin, patchouli and musk cocoons it to create an exhilarating fragrance. 12. Twilly d’Hermès Eau de Parfum, $107 to $221, available at Hermès stores, department stores and authorised perfumeries.
Fresh tuberose and earthy sandalwood are given a spicy twist with ginger in the latest Twilly d’Hermès, a playful fragrance that celebrates youth. We also love the hand-tied silk ribbon that graces the bowler hat-shaped cap – a nod to the iconic Twilly scarf. 13. Dolce&Gabbana The One Eau de Toilette, $93 to $175, available at Dolce&Gabbana stores and counters.
An enchanting, feminine fragrance, D&G has put a fresh spin on The One, magnifying the star of the show: madonna lily. The key note is met with Italian bergamot, mandarin essences, sweet lychee, and luscious white peach, settling down to an earthy vanilla-infused vetiver and musk base.
Notice the “WIN” labels? We’re giving away all these items in our massive holiday gift guide GIVEAWAY — head over to our Facebook page and Instagram page daily to take part in our contests. More of NYLON’s Ultimate Beauty Gift Guides, coming soon — stay tuned! Click here to see our full list of beauty gift guides, and here for our ultimate holiday gift guides.
There are many loveable droids in Star Wars. But can anyone confidently say with a straight face that R2-D2 isn’t the cutest? We think not. While C-3PO’s goofiness is endearing and BB-8 is just a ball of fun (quite literally), R2-D2 has never failed to capture the imagination with all his crazy quirks.
And now, you can build him for yourself too. Well, not using the complicated astromech building techniques obviously, but with an educational, fuss-free building kit that’s easy to digest, especially for people new to tech engineering; including kids.
In fact, this latest addition to the littleBits line of products is marketed towards kids. Called the Droid Inventor Kit, this learning tool comes with just about everything a little tot needs to know about droid construction. For instance, it has an app with instructional videos, as well as stickers and in-app missions, and 20 droid sounds.
What’s even cooler is a feature called “Force Drive”, which allows you to pilot your fully built droid with just the wave of your hand (how sick is that), but your little creation doesn’t need your help too. It can actually self-navigate, using some AI magic to manoeuvre itself around objects.
“We’ve created a gender-inclusive product that celebrates kids’ own self-expression and ingenuity, while showcasing the same characteristics of imagination, grit and invention that are embodied in the Star Warsfranchise,” said littleBits CEO Ayah Bdeir in a statement.
If you’re starting to catch the Star Wars fever and you desperately need a cure, the Droid Inventor Kit could just be the perfect medication before Star Wars: The Last Jedi debuts in theatres on Dec 14. Get yours for $159 via hachi.tech, 12 Geeks, and all Challenger stores. For more information, visit shop.littlebits.cc Images: littleBits
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2017 just flew by last week in Shanghai. A two-million dollar bra encrusted with Swarovski diamonds stole the limelight, Harry Styles stole our hearts and VS model Ming Xi heartbreakingly tripped over her dress while strutting down the runway (shame on the cameraman who continued filming her!). Sure, we know why men tune in every year to watch it, but for the rest of us, we couldn’t keep our eyes away from our mobile screens in anticipation for the VS x Balmain pieces to feature on the catwalk. As of now most of the collection’s already sold out online, but tomorrow it launches at the Singapore flagship outlet at Mandarin Gallery, but of course only in limited quantity — so get there early before it’s all gone!
Here’re some of our favourite pieces from the VS x Balmain collection. Olivier Rousteing, who’s arguably already grown even bigger than the Balmain house he designs for, has built a reputation of close-knit friendships with supermodels and girls who should be supermodels in another life. The VS angels are of course no stranger to Rousteing, but beyond strengthening his creative aesthetic through this line of fetishistic lingerie, he’s aiming for the girl who isn’t afraid to show off her assets without revealing all her secrets. The collection’s about studded bras and PVC panties that’s hinting you want some sock-on-the-door bedroom activity, but edgy enough that signals whoever wants in has got to get your permission first. Images from Victoria Secret
Oh that’s right, we’re talking about that one lazy formidable friend or sibling who takes dedication to the sloth life to an all new level. Netflix and chill? We say, they have zero chill about it because here they are, pulling an all-nighter, not for work or assignments, but just to watch the entire Stranger Things 2 in one sitting. You might think they don’t exactly have their priorities in check, but so what if their entire exercise regime involves walking to the fridge and back, all for the sake of a midnight snack refuel? You gotta admire their tenacity here. As long as they’ve got a comfortable couch/bed, and some chips in tow, they’re happy. Except if you throw a spoiler in their face!
Well, at least you know they’re the most reliable people to seek out when you need someone to geek out over the latest episode of whatever hit television series there is — heck, they might even be running the Reddit thread — so for that and more, quit the nagging, give in, and show some love to the couch potato.
1. Star Wars Gym Pack, US$150 to US$200, available via onnit.com
Star Wars fans, there are a lot more ways to get fit than just swinging around a toy lightsaber. We know, we know. What could be more exciting than that, right? Well, feast your eyes on this: fitness company Onnit has a range of Star Wars-inspired gear that’ll take your exercise regime to a new level, with the power of the force to boot. 2. Samsung POWERbot™ Star Wars Special Edition Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $949, available at major electronics stores
No one has time to clean the house! Not when they’ve got a whole list of TV shows on their to-watch lists. So, how a robot that does all the sweeping for them, so they can get back to hitting the ‘next’ button on their never-ending binge watch? Even better when it’s in the ultimate geek form, so they can feel like they’re using the Force on their household chores. 3. Pyramid iPad or Tablet Cushion, $56.37, available at HardToFind.com.au
All couches already have cushions, but do all iPads have their own cushion? The couch potato would appreciate this iPad cushion – they won’t feel a thing since it’s so lightweight and they can rest their iPad on it while lounging around at home. 4. OSIM uCozy 3D Massager, $199 (now @ $129), available at OSIM stores, and osim.com
Your friend must’ve been seated on the couch for a reallyyy long time, and despite the hours of inactivity, they could definitely do with this — a lightweight and handy massager that provides a kneading massage and soothing warmth to ease any neck, shoulders or back aches. Just know that you’re now enabling them to spend an even longer time on that couch. 5. Riverdale Letterman Jacket, US$198, available online at bettyandveronica.com
Whether you like the morbid take on Archie’s Comics or not, you can’t deny that the letterman jacket is pretty classic. With oversized pink leather sleeves, this will make you feel like a part of Archie’s gang when you’re chilling with your squad. So hey, total Riverdale vibes — even if you don’t like the show out of respect to the comics. 6. Eleven Bleeding Nose Candle, £29.99, available at firebox.com
Have you seen anything this totally tubular? Any rightful Netflix binge-r is well into Stranger Things, as well as the show’s best bitchin’ chick on the crew, Eleven. So we’d gladly empty our wallets, you know, upside down, just to own this — a ceramic ornament that sees that iconic nosebleed as the candle undergoes its own meltdown. No promises that this keeps away those demogorgons though. 7. Jon Snow-Inspired Backpack, US$44.99, available at thinkgeek.com
His watch may have ended, but can we really imagine our broody, plucky hero without his black cloaks and Stark furs (yes, despite the fire in his bones)? In the same way, take the black with this very Crow-like backpack that sees a direwolf imprint and the Night’s Watch Oath under the flap — all so you can feel smug and shout ‘you know nothin’!” at all those poor people who still haven’t caught Game of Thrones. 8. Luckies Smartphone Projector 2.0, $45, available at Naiise stores and naiise.com
An ideal gift for the phone-obsessed with a lazy approach to life, this nifty little smartphone projector magnifies your phone screen by up to 8 times, giving you a mini home cinema experience anytime, anywhere. This lightweight cardboard gadget also comes fully assembled with an adjustable focus, so go ahead and gather your friends for a Netflix binge in the comfort of your own bedroom. 9. Rick And Morty Christmas Jumper,£29.99, available at grindstore.com
You know it — time to get riggity riggity wrecked at all your festive parties with this classic ugly Christmas sweater that features everyone’s favourite time space-transcending duo from the hit television series. Why, Rick and Morty, duh (chime in all the cool folks). Plus the loose fit means you can stuff yourself – burp – silly at the season of elaborate feasts. Get schwifty indeed! 10. Luckies Smartphone Magnifier, $30, available at amazon.com
Smartphones have changed the way we digest content. And that includes movies, your favourite television series, and that ridiculous viral clip on Facebook. But somehow, watching them on a larger screen is still more satisfying, so why not enlarge whatever is showing on your smartphone? 11. Garrett Popcorn Nutcracker Trio Tins, $36, available at Garrett Popcorn stores
This festive set of limited edition Nutcracker Trio Tins from Garrett Popcorn feature whimsical fairytale characters: a snowman, a red fox, and a gallant nutcracker soldier. Your choice of popcorn will make it a personalised gift – or you could always try the super indulgent Dark Chocolate CaramelCrisp. 12. World’s Smallest Vacuum, $33.90, available at Funtime Gifts, Naiise stores and online at naiise.com
If you can’t even get up to get a mug of beer, we probably shouldn’t expect you to clean up after yourself (vacuums are heavy, we get it). This hand-sized vacuum is perfect for clearing up those annoying little crumbs from your snacks without having to move your ass.
Notice the “WIN” labels? We’re giving away all these items in our massive holiday gift guide GIVEAWAY — head over to our Facebook page and Instagram page daily to take part in our contests. More of NYLON’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guides, coming soon — stay tuned! Click here to see our full list of gift guides.
If you’re a TV junkie, you may have come across a show called Storage Wars. It’s basically a series about treasure hunters selling repossessed goods at crazy profits. But in reality, there’s a whole different kind of storage war going on, and it’s one that’s being fought ferociously between smartphone companies.
Welcome to the war of storage space, a skirmish that’s currently being dominated by Samsung. The tech giant has just announced production of the world’s first 512GB embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS), meaning that its future flagship phones will have double the space of what’s currently available in the market. First blood, definitely drawn.
Right now, the gold standard for smartphones is 256GB, although the new 512GB chip trounces that easily. It reportedly will give new Samsung phones unparalleled storage capacity, with the ability to cram 130 10-minute 4K video clips in a single chop (to put that in perspective, a 64GB chip can only store 13 such clips).
And it goes without saying that the new chip will boost speed and performance as well. For instance, a 5GB HD video can be transferred to a hard drive in about six seconds, while Samsung claims the chip has an energy-saving circuit design, so it’s unlikely that your battery will suffer major drainage from performing demanding tasks.
If you’re mind-boggled as to what the hell you can do with all that extra space (there’s no reason to complain though), you’ll be pleased to know that Samsung has also announced that it will ramp up production of phones with the 256GB chip.
In other tech news, SanDisk launches the world’s largest microSD card. Images: Samsung
It didn’t take Pixar’s latest blockbuster Coco for us to know how music can create such personal connections, and Spotify’s our go-to for fuss-free streaming wherever we may be. As 2017 draws to an end, we’re reminiscing our favourite jams throughout the year, from club hits that overcame our phobia of dance to tearjerkers accompanying us through tough times.
Most Streamed Tracks in Singapore Playlist
Shape of You
We were all jittery with anticipation when we found out Ed Sheeran was releasing his latest album Divide earlier this year, and boy did his first two singles Shape of You and Castle On The Hill immediately send our hearts aflutter. While he’s better known for his soothing ballads, Shape of You took a more upbeat route while retaining the running theme of romance that has been a large factor of his resonance. And of course we love his husky voice which makes the concept of love so much more relatable and paired back.
Awarded: Most Streamed Track Globally (1st place), Most Streamed Track in Singapore (1st place)
Other Ed Sheeran Awards: Most Streamed Artist Globally (1st place), “Divide” Most Streamed Album Globally (1st place), Most Streamed Artist in Singapore (1st place), Most Streamed Male Artist in Singapore (1st place), “Divide” Most Streamed Album in Singapore (1st place), “X” Most Streamed Album in Singapore (4th place)
Something Just Like This
EDM has become a music mainstay for much of the 21st century (hopefully we won’t look back at our youth and cringe) and The Chainsmokers have been nailing it with their string of hits since they emerged into the pop culture vernacular last year. They enjoy pulling from different tiers of singers, and we do as well watching how their auras gel together. Something Just Like This has been on repeat when we’re feeling the feels and giving us just the right amount of beats to jive to while we’re at it.
Awarded: Most Streamed Track in Singapore (2nd place)
Other Chainsmokers Awards: Most Streamed Artist Globally (5th place), Most Streamed Artist in Singapore (3rd place)
Other Coldplay Awards: Most Streamed Group Globally (1st place), Most Streamed Artist in Singapore (4th place)
Despacito
Justin Bieber’s voice is like the Midas touch of chart-topping, and his remix version of popular Spanish singer Luis Fonsi’s hit Despacito thwarted it from a success in Mexico to a hot favourite on everyone’s playlists. At this point we’re kind of like uggghhh! when we hear it in public, but that’s not like it stops our hips from swaying violently from side to side. And we don’t promise to know all the words to the song.
Awarded: Most Streamed Track Globally (remix version—3rd place, original version—4th place), Most Streamed Track in Singapore (3rd place)
New Rules
We first Dua Lipa’s incredible vocals on Martin Garrix’s Scared To Be Lonely, but the pop singer’s since moved on to grow incredibly fast with her solo career. Particularly with New Rules, an anthem for romantic independence, we always feel like our bodies are being summoned to the dance floor (or any floor, for this instance) and made to act like we’re the girl who invented the Ju Ju On That Beat routine.
Dua Lipa Awards: Most Streamed Female Artist in Singapore (3rd place)
Honourable Mentions
Here’re the songs that we’re honestly surprised didn’t make the cut but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed listening to. They’re produced by singers who’re relatively new (some of them we’ve never heard of until recently) but am counting on them blasting into success very soon, if not now.
Bad and Boujee
We all recall that hilarious video of Ellen’s audience gyrating wildly to Migos and gang’s live performance of the phenomenally popular Bad and Boujee. The winner of the BET Award for Best Collaboration is our favourite hip hop artist to have broken into the scene as of late, and we love shouting “Rain drop, drop top” and “Skrt skrt!” which is silly without context but it gives us a good mood so why not right?
1-800-273-8255
We didn’t know the MTV Video Music Award for Best Fight Against the System even existed, but we’re glad it does and even more so that Logic bagged it this year. A well-deserved bestowment should go to a well-deserved man, and Logic’s dedication to standing up against bullying is impressively emotional and culture-shifting. The title of the song is actually the hotline to Trevor Project, an organisation dealing with disenfranchised teens of the LGBT community and suicide prevention. Of course, that doesn’t discount his talent, which in the song managed to move a nation.
Bodak Yellow
Her hit single may be Bodak Yellow, but we all know Cardi B’s favourite colour is Louboutin-Red. The winner of the 2017 BET Award for Best Hip Hop Artist has been slaying the rap game (sorry Nicki Minaj) in 2017, and her recent crazy glamorous engagement with Migos has us green with envy at how successful life seems for her right now. Her latest collaboration with Juicy J has us dazed with question marks in our minds, but we have no doubts how talented this young girl is.
Check out the full breakdown below of this year’s rankings and musical trends and head to spotify.com/2017 for the top playlists of 2017, Year in Music playlists, videos, and more.
And, in addition to Spotify’s Year in Music top lists, visitors can check out their own personalised list of their most-streamed artists and songs this year by visiting 2017wrapped.com. Header image: Billboard
With an array of adrenaline-pumping rides scattered over an area equivalent to three-and-a-half football fields, the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival will be huge. And it will be delayed too, with organisers announcing that the event’s opening date has been reshuffled to open on Dec 15, instead of the original date of Dec 8.
A post shared by marinabaycarnival (@marinabaycarnival) on
Mr Barnabas Chia, 36, who heads the carnival’s organising team, said: “This is the first carnival of such a scale in the heart of the city and we are bringing many rides from overseas to Singapore for the first time.
“While they have great track records and have been enjoyed by many around the world, we still have to work very closely with specialist engineers, consultants and local authorities, who are giving their full support to ensure that the event is ready for all carnival-goers.”
Das Fun Schiff
Booster Maxx
Once the green light is given, visitors can look forward to classic rides like the Das Fun Schiff (Pirate Ship), the Star Flyer, a carousel-style swing ride that’ll offer majestic 360-degree views of Marina Bay; as well as the Booster Maxx, a rotating ride that can hit a rather impressive speed of 96km/h in under eight seconds.
Star Flyer
There’ll also be a series of supplementary events at the carnival, such as “Santa Run for Wishes 2017”, a charity Christmas run organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while over 1 million plush toys from Marvel and Pixar will be up for grabs at the various game booths.
Best of all, admission is free, although you do need to buy credits for rides and games. Credits start at $4 and are available on-site or online via Marina Bay Carnival’s website.
The Marina Bay Carnival is held at The Promontory and Bayfront Event Space, and is happening from Dec 15 to April 1, 2018 from 4pm to 11pm (on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the carnival opens at 3pm). For more information visit, marinabaycarnival.sg. Images: Marina Bay Carnival
Yesterday we announced Deliveroo’s The Dark Side menu, of burgers, cakes and shakes. But before we could wipe off barbecue sauce from our fingers, we caught wind of two new launches from Clarks and Columbia, who’ve tapped into the hype of the upcoming Star Wars installation and captured our attention to want to covet pieces from both collections (insert heart eyes emoji)!
Star Wars x Clarks
Sand, Dark Grey, Black Camo
Remember how J.J. Abrams’ convinced us to watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi with his mission to include strong female roles and represent social minorities? We’re not the only ones counting on him to deliver — Clarks has come out with a line of 3 combat boots resembling the actual footwear adorned by our all-time favourite heroine Rey, putting Abrams up to the task. These boots look like the kind of gear you’d wear to play football in Outer Space, and their scuffed quality inspire us to pursue an intergalactic adventure of our own.
For die-hard fans, these might not be suitable for actual walking because they’re extremely limited edition! With only 18 pieces total in-store, we’d personally prefer them shelved next to our favourite Star Wars figurines! The Star Wars x Clarks collection will be made available only at the ION Orchard outlet starting 1 December 2017.
Now that we’ve got your feet covered (or not, sorry!) these jackets are the perfect gear to hype us up for battle. These jackets aren’t as transportive than our VR experience at Zero Latency, but they definitely look more realistic in connecting us with our favourite movie universe. It’s practical enough for us to wear them on vacation, if not for the weird stares we’d probably get from passersby wondering which planet we got there from. The Star Wars x Columbia will be made available in Columbia brand stores 8 December 2017. Header image: Schmoesknows
These past couple of weeks has been quite an exciting time for Kpop fans. The previous week saw SHINee, Red Velvet, and Eddy Kim in town, and last week was VIXX and Kim Jong Kook turn to take the stage. We were really anticipating VIXX’s concert, because the concept-dols became well-known for their intense, themed music videos. It’s not your usual ‘boy falls in love with girl’ kind of love themed concepts; VIXX’s themes are the whole package. Combining stylized theatrics and musical theatre, VIXX has been through the cyborg phase, a reinterpretation of Jekyll and Hyde, tons of Greek mythology references, and even took a stab at being voodoo practitioners.
Source: ssym.weebly.com
Concept-dols is not something you see very often onstage, partly because they are more common in Japan than in Korea, but also because it can be hard to pull off. But VIXX has managed to meld the concept into their sound, which really makes them stand out in a sea of redundant pop peppering the entire Kpop industry. VIXX, a six-piece boyband consisting of members N, Ravi, Hongbin, Ken, Hyuk and Leo has just returned to Singapore after one and a half years, and it was like they weren’t even gone. Their latest album, Shangri-La, gravitates towards a more fusion style, where they used East Asian influences like traditional strings in their title track, Shangri-La.
VIXX at their open press conference just before their Shangri La concert
While we weren’t so sure about VIXX and their choice of outfits which made them look like gigolos, their energy was more than enough to make up for the lack of fancy outfits and over-the-top get-ups. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s time to revisit VIXX’s music videos and first few stages where each of their MVs are themed. While it would have been cool to watch how they could have transferred those darker concepts from their music videos onto the stage, VIXX could certainly hold their own on the stage with their perfectly synced moves. VIXX even pulled off a fan dance inspired by Asian traditional dances, and there was none of that ‘cultural appropriation’ complaints from petty fans. Fans were also treated to a live rendition of newer songs like Black Out and Hot Enough, and Leo and Ravi even performed a little bit of ‘Whisper’, a track from their duo album.
source: KAvenyou
Interestingly, while fans loved all of VIXX’s newest songs, it was their older songs that really got the butts off the chairs in excitement. Keeping the best for the last, VIXX finished off with some of their older songs that made them famous. ‘Chained Up’, ‘On and On’, and ‘Error’ probably got the loudest cheers, with fans risking the wrath of security to record a bit of the song for their own memories. It wasn’t also just a concert where the singers just powered through all their songs just so that they can get it over and done with. VIXX also took the time to greet their fans, and even had fans fill a notice board with post-its with questions on them, which the boys promptly answered. Or answered as best as they could, since half of the requests were for the boys to perform girl group dances.
N being N
Our favourite moment had to be when a fan requested for leader N to give a backhug to each of the other members and say something nice to them. As close as the boys are, it’s clear that they are not a fan of skinship! N adorably rants, “I don’t really want to do this. I hate myself for doing this” as he sets his first target on Leo, thanking him for being a good roommate. Whilst he was occupied, the rest of the members set about drenching themselves in water just to make this all the harder for N. In case you needed to know, N thanked Lee Hongbin for touring the city with him (cue: cries from fans who harbour dreams of bumping into their idols in the streets), told Ravi that he was really glad and happy that he was by N’s side and to smile more. Hongbin finished off by saying, “the backhug just made the whole mood so down”, even though all the fans and N were secretly loving it. Sadly, instead of going for another round of hugs, VIXX finished off with ‘Good Night And Good Morning’. Other cute moments included when the boys danced to Sunmi’s ‘Gashina’, and when Leo actually conceded for a dance with Ken.
Ken internallising his regret
We’ll finish with a question that all fans have on their minds: what’s the one word that the members think best describes themselves?
Ravi: Passion
Hongbin: Fun
N: Starlight
Ken: Chameleon
Hyuk: Young and youth
Leo: Age
It was two and a half of hours of VIXX, and it was certainly more than enough for the fans, with plenty of music and laughs to go around. Props to the live translator who was translating everything in real time so we could all really understand what was going on stage instead of awkwardly laughing (we’re not that fluent in Korean too). Till next time, and enjoy your three bottles of kaya jam, Ken. With every single singer who falls in love with chilli crab, chicken rice, and laksa, it’s really refreshing to see someone finally say something different.
Smartphones nowadays come equipped with pretty powerful in-built cameras. Add on all the external camera accessories, and your phone will be good enough to rival the average point-and-shoot cameras
Case in point: the latest OPPO R11s.
Comparison between Samsung Galaxy S6 (left) and the OPPO R11S (right) – the OPPO R11S has better lighting and captures more details in the background
The latest phone launched by OPPO comes with a dual rear camera – in both 16MP and 20MP – and also with a 20MP front camera. Not only are the cameras equipped with a larger aperture and higher sensitivity to light, the phones also utilises OPPO’s AI Beauty Recognition software to enhance your face without having to download any additional apps. In English, that means both the front and back cameras will allow you to take clear photos and selfies, even in low light settings, without the need for too much post-editing. We all know the importance of always having a good phone camera to capture all those lit moments to update your social media!
And to show how good the camera on OPPO R11s is, someone actually shot some backstage shenanigans at the super exclusive and coveted Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that took place in Shanghai this year with the phone. As one of the biggest and most anticipated fashion shows annually, you can expect loads of flashy theatrics and crazy lighting. Here are some of the pictures, and if we didn’t know otherwise, we would have assumed that a backstage photographer shot them with his trusty DSLR.
Always camera ready
Doesn’t matter even if you’re moving,
These pictures will still be clear.
Even during media interviews…
Here’s a little peek into the hectic backstage where the models do their makeup.
And of course, a shot of all the angels
If this was how good a smartphone can perform in such a low-light setting, we’re already questioning if we need to invest in a separate camera. And we also know how hard it can be to get the right selfie, so take some tips from South African model and Victoria’s Secret Angel model Candice Swanepoe, where she shares more about her favourite selfie poses and how to get the most flattering angles.
The OPPO R11s (available in red, champagne and black) is available for purchase from 2December at $699 and the OPPO R11s Plus (available in champagne and black) will go on sale on 9 December at $849 at all OPPO stores and authorised retailers.
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