HWZ’s year in review: Top news articles of 2023
Here's a throwback to a very eventful, news-filled year for the consumer tech scene.
HardwareZone takes a look at the movers and shakers of the consumer tech field, as seen through our top news articles.
HWZ's top news articles in 2023
As the end of yet another eventful year approaches, here's a quick throwback to HardwareZone's top content of 2023.
In this article, we look at 10 of the most-read news and announcements we shared in 2023. Thank you all for making HWZ the leading online technology portal in Asia Pacific, and supporting what we do. Here's our year in review as we look forward to another.
1. The loss of a titan, Sim Wong Hoo
Mr Sim Wong Hoo, founder of Creative Technology.
It was a sad day for Singapore's technology enthusiasts when the country collectively learnt about the passing of Sim Wong Hoo, founder of Creative Technology.
Mr Sim was instrumental in developing one of the earliest consumer-friendly audio components for DIY PCs, which not only unlocked a new plane of experiences in our digital world, but also set the course for personal audio in the following decades.
Rest well, for you have done well.
Read the article in full here.
2. Buying the Apple iPhone 15 series
Buying the Apple iPhone 15 series.
This article combines three of HWZ's classics into one. Apple and iPhone content is always of high interest amongst our readers, and we're the best at distiling relevant purchasing information from official sources and where they matter. The third crown jewel was that the piece was done by our Editor-in-Chief, who is more challenging to catch than a rainbow after rain.
Read the article in full here.
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra buying deets
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Android smartphone equivalent of the Apple purchasing news is also no slouch, as Singapore has a reasonably strong Android user base and following. Samsung leads the pack because of its presence in our market, and it garners plenty of love and hate from people who use their devices. In Singapore, the brand also represents what it means to have true premium-class mobile devices that the masses can easily use. The news about its purchase reflects what our readers (and even non-readers) think of Samsung, and the phone's worth to them.
Read the article in full here.
4. Daydreaming about affording a car (in this economy)
BYD's Seal sedan EV.
A surprise 2023 contender for top news articles was the local launch and announcement of BYD's electric executive fastback sedan, Seal. We'll have to defer to our petrolhead Associate Editor to analyse why it was so popular among readers, but we suspect it has to do with its forward-looking design, specs and combined price tag (car with COE).
Read the article in full here.
5. YouTrip + Apple Pay = Easier vacations
YouTrip added Apple Pay compatibility this year.
If there's one thing most Singaporeans can agree on, it's their wanderlust and love for travelling. But travelling safely and conveniently should never be ignored. Travel technology helps.
YouTrip's multi-currency wallet was already godsent for folks who love shopping from websites in foreign currencies, and it spares travellers from carrying too much cash on them. The added Apple Pay compatibility was the cherry on top of its strong user base, and it was likely that YouTrip users were counting on us to tell them how to pair their YouTrip cards properly. The Google Pay equivalent of YouTrip's announcement didn't come until much later in 2023, which resulted in fewer total reads across the calendar year.
Read the article in full here.
6. Getting 5G network speeds at 4G prices with Simba
Simba gives 5G access without changing its prices.
Simba's biggest news in 2022 was its rebrand, shedding away its TPG name for something more majestic and primal (much like Singapore's national animal). Its 2023 highlight was doing something nice for Singaporeans, where it upgraded its network to 5G without nickeling-and-diming its users. It also shows how this telco is on the up-and-up, beating out all the other telcos in being one of the most-read articles here.
Read the article in full here.
7. Timezone's new arcade bumper cars
Timezone's bumper car arena that launched in 2023.
An enjoyable drive with bumper cars is the opposite of everything you've learnt in driving school. It's both surprising and unsurprising that the launch of a new pongpongchia (Hokkien for bumper car) attraction can rocket itself into one of the most-read news pieces of 2023. For our older readers, they'd likely want to live out their memories of youth. The younger folks are coming in to understand why it's worth bringing back a blast from the past.
Read the article in full here.
8. Wi-Fi 7 routers through TP-Link, courtesy of Singtel
TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 routers on display.
This article combines three important factors into one piece. Singtel is a mainstay option for telcos, TP-Link is a popular choice for home routers (as seen in our Tech Awards 2023 Readers' Choice), and Wi-Fi 7 is relatively new in 2023. The launch of Wi-Fi 7 routers certainly piqued the curiosity of homeowners and tech enthusiasts who are on a neverending quest for faster connections and their need for digital speed.
Read the article in full here and more about Singtel's home broadband with Wi-Fi 7 offer here.
9. Casio G-SHOCK's special edition Northern Lights watch
Casio G-SHOCK Aurora Oval.
Casio watches are very accessible thanks to the durable choices at very realistic prices. Some watch collectors respect the hustle Casio puts in and don't mind collecting special editions of its G-SHOCK timepieces.
While the MTG-B3000 G-SHOCK Aurora Oval wasn't the only special edition G-SHOCK launched this year, it proved to be the most popular choice. It was sold out in minutes after pre-orders opened up.
Perhaps more interesting is a classic analogue watch beating out all other possible smartwatch coverage we've done, but that's probably a reflection of reader tastes more than smartwatches having problems with their appeal.
Find out more about this watch here and check out what else is interesting from Casio here.
10. Xiaomi 13 Pro series' in Singapore
Xiaomi 13 series consists of the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro in Singapore.
Our readers closely follow the smartphone market; this Xiaomi 13 Pro announcement proves it. This is the first time the brand brought its Leica partnership onto its premium category mobile devices, replete with all the components you expect at that price. That's also reflected in Xiaomi's availability, where finding an officially sold Xiaomi 13 Pro is now challenging.
Read the article in full here. Curious about how it fares? Check out our review here and the more value-oriented T-series version here.
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