Try naming your year
Our guest today, Troy Media columnist Dave Fuller, uses “Naming Your Year” as a method to accomplish what resolutions are meant to but never do. Dave shares how he stumbled upon “Naming Your Year” as a business management method and will tell you what it does and how it works. You’ll hear how he puts…
Retails for $179.99 and is available from Amazon or directly from SKG Canada.com
While most of us hate to admit it, something we all have in common is the little aches and pains in our muscles and joints. The SKG F5 Percussion Massager Gun is the answer for those days when we need a little massage or pain relief therapy. The beauty of this sleek little gadget is…
Scrambling to find just the right gift for this holiday season?
If you’re still scrambling trying to find just that right particular gift for this holiday season, here’s a few practical, innovative and extremely useful gift ideas with a little wow factor. SleepPhones If your loved one likes to listen to their favourite tunes or podcasts while drifting off to sleep and standard earbuds are just…
Christmas was more primitive in the 18th and mid-19th centuries, but it was still Christmas
Turn the clock back to the late 18th century and mid-19th century Alberta, and chances are you’d be eating fish, beavertail, and stewed moose rather than roasted turkey and honey-glazed ham for Christmas dinner. Instead of rockin’ to tunes emanating from audio systems and streaming services, you’re more likely to be dancing the jig to…
It can keep your smartphone, tablet and laptop alive without having to lug around a plethora of chargers
When you’re going on a long trip, it’s imperative to take power chargers, adapters and power banks. But if you have to run out of the house without fully-charged devices, it’s nice to know you have a little extra battery power just in case. That’s where the innovative Pixy Mini by Futurizta comes in. It…
Radon exposure takes the lives of eight Canadians every day
One hates to be part of a statistic, but it seems like I’m one of the 94 per cent of people who had no idea that a silent killer was lurking in my home. It’s radon, which takes the lives of eight Canadians each day. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Edmonton home…
Radon can become a risk to the health of you and your family
November is National Radon Action Month in Canada. Many people don't know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Listed below are some of the myths and misconceptions of radon, a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock and that can become a risk to the…
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer
When we think of a tasteless, odourless and invisible killer potentially lurking in our homes, carbon monoxide (CO) immediately comes to mind. What’s beyond our radar, however, is radon. In Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking, and the number one cause of cancer in non-smokers. While carbon monoxide…
Precision-engineered acoustics produce a crisp, clear and full-body sound
Not everyone wants to wear headphones or earbuds to listen to their music, radio stations or podcasts, but speakers can be such a pain. Speakers are often bulky, can be cumbersome when using them with multiple devices, and they’re typically susceptible to the elements, so not great for the outdoors. Unless you have the Sonos…
The ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 is a compact soundbar that uses the science behind hearing aids to create more clarity in recorded dialogue
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually decipher the dialogue on TV? As sound delivery advances with the advent of immersive technologies like surround sound and Dolby Atmos, we still sometimes have to crank up the volume or turn on close captioning. Sometimes we even play a passage again to make out what’s being…
Ground-breaking noise cancelling, noise isolating HD Sound
Whether it’s listening to music, a podcast, people during a Zoom meeting or simply a phone call, you've probably found you've been spending more time than ever before with buds in your ears. It has become imperative that the earbuds give us the best quality sound possible (while eliminating unwanted noise), be comfortable to wear…
The ONE in the name refers to the speed of a reading – one second – with accuracy within 0.3°C (0.5°F)
Even after years of preparing steak, fish and chicken, do you still cut into your protein to make sure it’s cooked just right? I’ve used a typical thermometer, but I keep cutting meat on the grill due to a combination of concern about inaccuracy and my cooking ineptness. A good solution is Thermapen ONE by…
No more standing over your stove or grill; you can monitor what’s cooking from your phone
Whether you’re tracking the time or simply gauging by touch, some people just have the knack for knowing when their meat has been cooked to perfection. For others – like me – it’s always been about constantly hovering over the hot stove or grill, poking your chicken, steak or fish with a thermometer or cutting…
Podcast titles have doubled since April 2020, when Apple announced the one-millionth entry in its podcast directory
The phrase “video killed the radio star” is often used as a metaphor for the domination of video over audio. It’s also a song by British new-wave band and one-hit wonder, The Buggles, and was the first selection played by MTV 40 years ago, on Aug. 1, 1981, sparking the music video revolution. It was…
They’re socially aware, fit within our digital ecosystem like cloud platforms, and take advantage of the latest technologies
Think of all the pictures you’ve snapped on your smartphone – chances are you haven’t printed one in eons but likely shared them to the dark depths of Instagram and Facebook. Try having those photos at your fingertips without hovering over your phone or signing up for social media. It’s not easy without a smart…
The masks needed to be reusable and seal around the nose so the user’s glasses don’t fog up
James McCrimmon is the inventor of an accessory to keep your beer cool. His Alberta-based business relies on major events like Canadian Football League games and rodeo for sales. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, McCrimmon found his proverbial keg empty. But instead of crying into his frosty mug, he decided to reimagine his product into…
It is a breeding ground for germs, viruses and bacteria
We’re all trying to be better informed and protect ourselves and loved ones by reducing exposure to COVID-19 and its variants. We’re social distancing, wearing masks and constantly sanitizing and washing our hands. But how many of us think of our smartphone as a major source of threat to our health? We’re attached to our…
More and more people have cut the cord when it comes to home entertainment. You, too, can make life more convenient and easier on your ears while using your smartphone or tablet. If you’re constantly on the go and an Android user, Google has an answer: Pixel Buds 2. These second-generation earbuds from the search…
Fitness trackers, webcams, tiny batteries, protective cases for your smartphone and cheaper ways to keep your house clean
This year, celebrations, gift-giving and the whole shopping experience may be a whole lot different. Many of us will be separated from our loved ones this holiday season. So here are a few gadget gift ideas you can easily order online and have sent directly to them: Family-friendly webcam For the first time, you may…
A professional can test for radon levels and other air pollutants in your home, or you can do it yourself with a detection system
You may think you’re doing your duty to help flatten the COVID-19 infection curve but staying home may expose your family to different types of health risks. No, the culprit isn’t bacteria or a virus. It’s the quality of the air we breathe in our homes and the contaminants lurking within. It may be an…
Given the low cost, the 10L offers impressive performance and features you may not find on phones at almost double the price
Hong Kong-based TCL recently entered the smart TV market in Canada and now they’ve unveiled a pair of premium-featured and affordable Android-based five-camera mobile phones, including the entry-level TCL 10L. TCL 10L test-drive The TCL 10L has a stylish and sleek body. Its 6.53-inch full high-definition screen displays 1,080 by 2,340 pixels at 395 pixels…
Regardless of your age, abilities or lifestyle, you can benefit from a low-cardio seated elliptical workout
It’s always smart to inject a little more physical activity into our lives, regardless of where we are on our fitness journey. But sometimes we lack the time or energy for that much-needed workout. The good news is the solution, Cubii Jr., can sit right under your feet. Cubii Jr. is a compact elliptical trainer…
It has a compact design and works super-fast, plus it has adapters for use in 200 countries so is great for travel
A one-size-fits-all travel-sized multi-port charger for the majority of our gadgets may seem impossible. But Zendure seems to think its new Passport II Pro will do the trick. So do their followers. In fact, the company’s recent Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign was fully funded in just two hours. Sixty-one watts of power The new-generation Zendure Passport…Control your connected home, make your old home alarm smart again and ensure fast, smooth home Internet
The best gifts for Dad are often those the entire family can enjoy and give Dad some peace of mind. And that’s very important during these unprecedented times. Here are three selections for Father’s Day that fit the bill: Control your connected home If Dad feels better when he can keep an eye on things,…
Think about your audio, consider your video, watch your body language and be sure to record a trial run
The right stage presence can make or break a performance, regardless of the words coming out of your mouth. But as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us online, new off-stage video conference rules apply. Off-stage includes online meetings, webinars, interviews and recording podcasts. We’re trained to live and work face to face, not in the…
This robust, elegant gadget charges various devices while keeping them organized
As your device arsenal or gadget collection grows, so do your charging needs. But there are elegant solutions, like the BaseLynx Modular Charging System from Scosche. I found the real beauty of BaseLynx is in its minimalist design around four charging modules, three of which can operate independently or be powered individually. Hinged together, they…
Netflix Parental controls provide timely solutions for families at home on lockdown: PIN protocol, maturity ratings, activity logs and more
There’s plenty of Netflix binging going on with many people at home on lockdown. Folks perhaps have a guilt-free opportunity to finally binge on Ozark or that most-talked-about, love-it-or-hate-it new series Tiger King. But for parents, the lockdown creates issues around managing TV time. While Mom and Dad are working from home, the kids could…
Are you on red alert for pranks and fake news today? It's just an extension of a centuries-old tradition to entertain and trick – or is it?
On April Fool’s Day, especially this year during the pandemic, we’re on red alert for pranks, hoaxes and fake news. But that's been going on for centuries, from an era when court jesters were common. With no TV, movies or Internet, jesters, jokers or fools were the entertainers of Medieval and Renaissance times. They often started…
Walking has helped me become more fit, productive and happy, and I’ve met some great people along the way
For a dedicated athlete, or even an active 20-something, taking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day for more than two and a half years might seem like a a walk in the park. For someone like me, three decades older, with ancient injuries and a lot more wear and tear on the body, walking…
If you’re looking for the best that phones, tablets and desktop computers offer, check out the latest 13-inch laptop from Apple
Some people prefer a tablet or a smartphone as their go-to device. Others stick with a traditional screen and keyboard computer for daily needs. But if you’re looking for the best of both worlds, check out the latest 13-inch Apple MacBook Air, released last year. It has stunning high-resolution display. Even small images are razor-sharp.…