Rewards Updates: New Kris+ Gift Box Challenge: Win up to 100 KrisPay miles daily

Source:

https://milelion.com/2025/12/01/new-kris-gift-box-challenge-win-up-to-100-krispay-miles-daily/

ChatGPT:

Kris+ has introduced a new Gift Box Challenge, replacing the long-running Check-in Challenge, which ended in November 2025 after 3.5 years. The new system allows users to open one daily digital Gift Box containing a random prize worth 1–100 KrisPay miles (equivalent to S$0.01–S$1). The Challenge resets at midnight Singapore time, and prizes must be spent within six months on Kris+ since they cannot be transferred to KrisFlyer. Gift Boxes are accessible via the Challenges section in the app.

While the reward range may seem attractive, users should expect the algorithm to favor the lower end. Early testers report receiving just 1 KrisPay mile, suggesting the odds of higher-value prizes are likely low. Nonetheless, the daily format eliminates the previous requirement of completing three weekly check-ins, which many users found easy to forget.

Comparatively, the former Check-in Challenge awarded a guaranteed 20 KrisPay miles weekly, translating to S$10.40 per year with perfect consistency. In contrast, completing the Gift Box Challenge daily for a year guarantees at least S$3.65, though users could earn more depending on luck. Without transparency on the prize distribution algorithm, it remains difficult to judge which model is more rewarding overall.

The article also highlights recommended credit cards to maximise Kris+ earn rates, such as Citi Rewards + Amaze and DBS Woman’s World Card for general spending at 4 mpd, and several dining-focused cards like HSBC Revolution and UOB Lady’s Card, which also earn 4 mpd with category conditions. Choosing the right card can significantly boost overall value, especially when spending at dining, retail, or wellness merchants.

In summary, the new Gift Box Challenge offers a simpler but potentially less lucrative way to earn daily KrisPay miles, trading predictability for a luck-based mechanic that may appeal to casual users.

Opinion:

Still worth to click daily for rewards e.g. during commutes since it's a low amount of effort 😋

Investing Updates: What to Expect in the Week Ahead (Earnings from Marvell and Salesforce; ADP, Core PCE and Initial Jobless Claims)

Source:

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/what-to-expect-in-the-week-ahead-earnings-from-marvell-115637666643974

ChatGPT:

This week’s U.S. market outlook is driven by key economic data and major corporate earnings, as investors evaluate the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December. With October CPI and GDP data unavailable due to the government shutdown, markets will lean heavily on ISM manufacturing and services surveys, ADP private-sector payrolls, and the September Core PCE report to gauge inflation and labor-market strength. These indicators will shape expectations around how tariffs and softer economic conditions may influence Fed policy.

Corporate earnings will also be in focus, especially from cloud software, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and retail. MongoDB and Credo Technology kick off the week on Monday, offering insights into AI-driven database adoption and demand for 5G/AI networking modules. On Tuesday, CrowdStrike and Marvell Technology report post-market, with investors watching cybersecurity spending trends and AI server interconnect demand.

Mid-week, Macy’s, Salesforce, and Snowflake will provide signals on consumer resilience, enterprise software momentum, and cloud data-platform growth. Salesforce’s Copilot AI rollout, Snowflake’s lakehouse adoption, and Macy’s holiday-season margins will be key highlights.

Economic data intensifies from Wednesday to Friday with ADP employment, Services PMI, ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI, weekly jobless claims, and the closely watched Core PCE Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Last week, U.S. equities rallied strongly: the Dow rose 3.18%, the S&P 500 gained 3.73%, and the Nasdaq climbed 4.91%. Active names included NVIDIA, Tesla, Intel, Meta, Alphabet, AMD, Oracle, SoFi, and Coinbase. Intel jumped over 10% after reports it may supply entry-level M-series chips for Apple by 2027, while Alphabet rose nearly 7% on optimism around Gemini 3 and reports of Meta considering large TPU purchases. SoFi surged 17% after launching in-app crypto trading.

Opinion:

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... 

Year-end bull let's go... 😙

Entertainment Updates: Made-In-Singapore Indie Game ‘SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure’ Plates Up Major Update

Source:

https://geekculture.co/made-in-singapore-indie-game-sedap-a-culinary-adventure-plates-up-major-update/

ChatGPT:

SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure, the made-in-Singapore indie cooking-combat game by local studio kopiforge, has released its largest update to date. Called “The Seasoning Update,” the patch lands first on PC, with console updates arriving in December 2025. The update follows the game’s console debut and expands on a title already known for its chaotic co-op gameplay, 42 levels across three biomes, over 50 Southeast Asian recipes, and flexible split-screen modes.

The Seasoning Update introduces six major features, along with game balance tweaks, UI improvements, bug fixes, and Steam Trading Cards. Key additions include:

The Bestiary – A new chapter in the in-game Makanomicon that catalogues Khaya Island’s monsters with fresh artwork, names, and detailed descriptions.

In-Game Map – A quick-access aerial view showing ingredient spawn points and a dynamic respawn timer, helping players plan their cooking-combat strategies more effectively.

Herb Mode & Spice Mode – New difficulty options. Herb Mode offers a more relaxed experience with reduced damage, slower freshness decay, and lenient order timing. Standard difficulty is now named Spice Mode, and only in this mode can players earn Pink Stars. Difficulty can be switched at the start menu or in settings.

Four New Charms – Jade Earrings, Five Stones, Yadom, and Kerosang join the charm roster. With the charm weight limit increased from 5 to 7, players can equip more perks such as slowing food decay or starting with combo streaks.

The update also expands language support to 20 languages, covering major Asian languages plus Spanish, German, French, Italian, Turkish, Brazilian Portuguese, and more.

To celebrate, the game is offering a 35% discount on Steam, bringing its price to under US$10. SEDAP! first launched on PC in May with a soundtrack bundle, and online multiplayer for consoles is planned for early 2026.

Opinion:

Nice casual game?

Entertainment Updates: Haven is out now for mobile, breaking the escape room genre down to its unnerving essence

Source:

https://www.pocketgamer.com/haven-escape-room-game/out-now/

ChatGPT:

Haven, a new mobile escape-room game for iOS and Android, strips the genre down to its purest, most unsettling form. Developed by IzumiArtisan, the game removes the elaborate storylines and dramatic settings common in modern escape titles, focusing instead on a single room, a handful of puzzles, and the player’s own problem-solving skills.

In Haven, you wake up in a sparse, pale-walled room containing only a few pieces of furniture and no explanation of how you got there. The game’s core loop mirrors classic escape-room challenges: explore every corner, discover clues, and gradually unlock the sequence of puzzles that stand between you and freedom. While some escape games rely on tension, horror, or looming threats, Haven opts for calmness. Its relaxing background music, minimalistic environment, and lack of danger make the experience feel soothing yet strangely urgent, as the quiet atmosphere heightens your desire to break out.

The article notes that while escape rooms can vary wildly—from spaceships to fantasy dungeons—digital escape games don’t require countless reinventions. Mobile screens lack the immersive props and physical interactions of real-life escape rooms, so a strong digital puzzle game needs solid mechanics, coherent design, and intuitive progression rather than spectacle.

Haven delivers these essentials. It offers an accessible hint system, tactile mechanics that enhance immersion, and a simple, relatable setting. Best of all, the game is completely free to play, making it an easy entry point for anyone curious about escape-room puzzles.

For players who enjoy Haven and want more challenges, the article recommends checking out Pocket Gamer’s list of the best escape games available for Android.

Opinion:

Want to backlog this game into Backloggd but it's not found there 😅

Technology Updates: You can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES-inspired Nike sneakers

Source:

You can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES Nike sneakers | The Verge

ChatGPT:

Designer Gustavo Bonzanini has created the AIR SNES, a custom sneaker that fuses ’90s fashion with retro gaming tech to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Super Nintendo (Super Famicom). Based on the Nike Air Max 90, the sneakers draw inspiration from other gaming-themed footwear like Bull Airs’ ShoeBoys, but Bonzanini’s version goes much further: the shoes function as a fully playable SNES console.

Instead of trying to fit original SNES hardware into a wearable shoe—an impossible task given the console’s size and large cartridges—Bonzanini opted for emulation. A Raspberry Pi Zero W runs a customized version of RetroPie, tailored to match the visual style and theme of the sneaker. Despite its tiny footprint, the Pi has more than enough power to run classic 16-bit SNES games.

All electronics, including a battery supporting up to 30 minutes of gameplay, are cleverly tucked into the tongue of the shoe, not the sole. The Raspberry Pi’s Mini HDMI is adapted through a small analog converter so the AIR SNES can connect to a TV using classic RCA cables, enhancing the nostalgic ’90s feel.
For controls, the sneaker pairs wirelessly with an original SNES controller. Bonzanini upgraded the gamepad using an 8BitDo Bluetooth Mod Kit, avoiding messy cables and keeping the retro aesthetic intact.

A demo clip shows Super Mario World running on a TV hooked up to the sneaker, proving the quirky hybrid actually works. While sneaker culture and retro gaming fans would likely buy these instantly, Bonzanini’s AIR SNES is strictly a one-off art piece, with no plans for commercial release.

Opinion:

No real use case other than for celebrations, I guess?

Technology Updates: Singapore firm’s AI teddy bear back on sale after shock sex talk

Source:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-firms-ai-teddy-bear-back-on-sale-after-shock-sex-talk

ChatGPT:

Singapore-based FoloToy has resumed sales of its AI-enabled teddy bear, Teddy Kumma, after temporarily pulling the product due to serious safety concerns. In early November, the US PIRG Education Fund reported that the teddy bear—powered then by OpenAI’s GPT-4o—was engaging in unprompted conversations about sexual fetishes, sexual positions, role play, spanking, and even offering guidance on accessing dangerous items such as knives, pills, matches, and plastic bags. The report highlighted the risks posed by AI toys that appear harmless but may escalate conversations unpredictably, especially with children.

Following the Nov 13 PIRG findings and widespread media coverage, including CNN, FoloToy removed Teddy Kumma and its other AI plush toys from its website. The toy retailed for US$99 (S$130). In a Nov 25 LinkedIn statement, the company said it was the only one among three AI toy makers mentioned—alongside Curio’s Grok rocket toy and Miko’s Miko 3 robot—to proactively suspend sales. FoloToy launched a full internal safety audit, upgraded content moderation and child-safety systems, and implemented new cloud-based safety rules.

After a week of intensive review, testing, and reinforcement of safety modules, the company began gradually restoring sales. Teddy Kumma has since returned to its online store, now powered by ByteDance-owned Coze instead of GPT-4o, according to its website. FoloToy has not commented publicly beyond its LinkedIn statement, and co-founder Larry Wang did not respond to inquiries.

The incident comes amid growing global regulatory concerns about AI toys and chatbots interacting with children. Experts warn that such devices can misunderstand context, deliver inappropriate content, and escalate conversations. FoloToy also sells AI-powered plush versions of a panda, cactus, sunflower, and octopus, positioning its toys as interactive companions “beyond cuddles.”

Opinion:

Interesting.

If done well with mass market adoption, childhood experiences would not be the same anymore. 

I think it's not a bad thing. Every generation should have unique memories of their own.

Technology Updates: Hands on with Stickerbox, the AI-powered sticker maker for kids

Source:

https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/24/hands-on-with-stickerbox-the-ai-powered-sticker-maker-for-kids/

ChatGPT:

Stickerbox is a new AI-powered toy created by Brooklyn-based startup Hapiko, designed as a voice-activated sticker printer for kids. Despite initial skepticism, the device proves enjoyable and creatively enriching. Costing US$99.99, the bright red box resembles a modern Etch A Sketch, with a screen, push-to-talk button, and thermal printer that produces black-and-white stickers kids can color. It comes with sticker paper rolls, a power cord, and colored pencils, with setup handled via a quick Wi-Fi connection.

Using Stickerbox is simple: children speak their idea, the AI interprets it, and the device prints a corresponding sticker in seconds. The experience combines instant gratification with slower, calming coloring activities. Kids naturally test increasingly complex prompts, and the AI handles their stream-of-consciousness descriptions well. The system encourages imagination rather than replacing it, making the toy a fresh type of creative play.

Stickerbox was inspired by co-founder Bob Whitney’s experience generating coloring pages for his son using ChatGPT. Recognizing the “magic” of seeing spoken ideas printed instantly, Whitney and co-founder Arun Gupta aimed to create AI products specifically safe for children. The device uses multiple AI models with strict safeguards against harmful content and filters inappropriate language, ensuring parents don’t need to monitor constantly.

The startup keeps paper refills affordable at US$5.99 for three rolls and plans to introduce premium features such as uploading personal images or collaborative tools. Regular firmware updates improve safety and creativity prompts, while a companion app will soon allow users to view and save past creations. Stickerbox is supported by US$7 million in funding from Maveron, Serena Ventures, AI2’s incubator, and several prominent angel investors.

Opinion:

Interesting tech for kids.

At this price point, I think it's more for classroom use?

Technology Updates: HWZ SG60 Tech Special: The best of local tech

Source:

https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/lifestyle/sg60-local-tech-brands-spotlight-singapore

ChatGPT:

Singapore’s 60th anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far the nation has advanced, especially in technology. In just six decades, Singapore transformed from a vulnerable young country into a global hub for aviation, finance, and shipping. This rapid rise was powered by continuous investment in technology and innovation, supported by homegrown companies that helped shape national progress.

HardwareZone’s SG60 Tech Special highlights the local tech brands that have contributed to Singapore’s development and are now driving its future growth. These stories honour pioneers and innovators across various fields, from defence to fintech, AI, gaming, and consumer technology.

In lifestyle tech, companies like Razer — led by Tan Min-Liang — have elevated Singapore’s global presence, with initiatives such as its AI Centre of Excellence. The gaming sector also showcases homegrown successes that have expanded internationally.

Tech giants with operations in Singapore have also bolstered the country’s growth, contributing expertise and infrastructure to sectors like defence and engineering. ST Engineering, for example, plays a major role through projects like the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Multi-Role Combat Vessel, designed as a modular drone-capable platform.

Other local innovators include Aztech Global, focused on engineering advancements; smart-home and broadband companies shaping everyday convenience; fintech and e-commerce players such as YouTrip and Ijooz, which have redefined digital payments and automated retail; and platforms like Grab, which are now essential to daily life.

Singapore’s technology ecosystem continues to evolve, built on the contributions of these companies and many others. The SG60 tribute underscores how local tech brands not only supported nation-building but also position Singapore for its next era of innovation-driven growth.

Opinion:

Singapore companies are the best! 😁

Entertainment Updates: ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ Exhibition Marks Singapore Debut In Jan 2026

Source:

https://geekculture.co/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-exhibition-marks-singapore-debut-in-jan-2026/

ChatGPT:

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Total Concentration Exhibition will make its Singapore debut from 24 January to 15 March 2026, marking its only Southeast Asian stop for the year. Following successful, sold-out runs across Asia in 2023 and 2024, the large-scale immersive showcase will occupy 21,000 square feet across two floors at the former Singapore Sports Hub Library. Organised by FriedRice Experience with ACO Media, Muse Communication and Mediasphere Communications, the exhibition recreates iconic scenes, locations and moments from the hit anime through life-sized sets, dynamic visuals and multi-sensory features.

Seven themed zones are featured. Highlights include Mount Fujikasane, a wisteria-filled dreamscape from the Final Selection; Demon Slayer Headquarters, showcasing Nichirin swords, organisational charts and character profiles; House of Demons, which partially recreates Muzan’s Infinity Castle with special mechanisms that trigger demonic encounters; and Battle of Mount Natagumo, featuring original Breathing Style illustrations and photo spots. Other areas include life-sized Mugen Train carriages, the lighthearted Kimetsu Academy spin-off world, and the Entertainment District with interactive contraptions and peek-through elements.

Visitors will exit through a 1,000-square-foot merchandise store, which includes exclusive Singapore-only ufotable illustrations featuring chibi characters at local landmarks.

Tickets will be sold in three phases via Pelago and Klook. Phase 1 (26 Nov–10 Dec 2025) offers 20% discounted prices: S$19.20/S$22.40 for adults and S$15.20/S$18.40 for concession. Phase 2 (11 Dec–22 Jan) adds limited-edition souvenir cards to every ticket. Phase 3 runs from 23 Jan to 15 Mar 2026. Bundle options include Family Bundles (S$72–S$94 with souvenir cards in Phase 2) and a VIP Bundle at S$58, which includes collectibles and a retail voucher.

The exhibition promises a rich, immersive experience for Demon Slayer fans of all ages.

Investing Updates: Could Renting Out An HDB Flat To “Retire” Overseas Be The Singapore Dream For Some?

Source:

https://dollarsandsense.sg/could-renting-out-an-hdb-flat-to-retire-overseas-be-the-singapore-dream-for-some/

ChatGPT:

Some Singaporeans seeking early financial freedom are exploring an unconventional FIRE strategy: renting out their HDB flat and “retiring” overseas through geoarbitrage. Instead of aggressively investing or maximising income, this approach turns their existing flat into a passive-income asset that funds a lower-cost lifestyle abroad. This is particularly appealing to couples without children.

The article models a typical scenario: a 35-year-old couple that bought a four-room HDB five years earlier and has just met the MOP. Their outstanding mortgage is about $200,000, costing $1,070 per month on a HDB loan. A Punggol four-room flat can rent for around $3,200 monthly. After deducting agent fees, maintenance and vacancy, net rental income is roughly $32,000 a year, or $2,666 per month. Combined with $100,000 invested in blue-chip stocks and REITs yielding 4% annually, the couple earns about $3,000 per month in passive income.

While this is insufficient for Singapore, it allows a comfortable lifestyle in lower-cost Southeast Asian cities. In Thailand (Chiang Mai, Hua Hin), a couple can live on $1,500–$2,000 monthly. Malaysia (Penang, Ipoh) offers good quality of life for $2,000–$2,500. Vietnam’s Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City ranges $2,000–$2,500, while parts of Indonesia can be below $2,000.

However, the strategy comes with trade-offs. Renting out the flat leaves the couple without a home base in Singapore, making return trips expensive unless they can stay with family. Healthcare abroad may lack subsidies, and private insurance varies in coverage. Families with children face schooling challenges, and this geoarbitrage model only works in lower-cost countries. Higher-cost regions like Europe, Japan or Australia would require much greater assets.

Overall, renting out an HDB flat to “retire” overseas is possible for some, but it requires sacrifices, realistic budgeting, and acceptance of lifestyle constraints.