The iPhone may be the most common smartphone in Canada, but that doesn’t mean we all know how to use our iPhones. Behind the simplicity of iOS lies incredible complexity, so we’ve decoded some of the best tips. Here are 6 changes you should consider making with your iPhone habits.
Well, where do we start?
*Offers only available on August 12, 2016
2015 marked the 10th year in a row that Vinyl sales have shown an increase in sales. In 2015, 11.29 million Vinyl units were sold. This is up from 9.2 million units in 2014. 2.1 million MORE units than the previous year!! How cool is that!?!? These sales figures are proving that Vinyl is no longer a fringe music format enjoyed by only the purist audiophile. Will Vinyl become so popular that it will overtake the giants in the streaming industry? More than likely no but it is proving that even though there are audio formats that have superior sound quality (that is up for debate of course), Vinyl can survive and even flourish.
August is here! This month will see a few more titles than last month as we head into those prime autumn gaming months! We have 8 new games for you this month, including some sequels, some franchise entries, and one of the most anticipated games of the year. Let’s take a look!
It’s finally here. We’re starting off with No Man’s Sky; one of the most anticipated titles of 2016! Take control of a spaceship and explore a completely procedurally generated universe with over 18 quintillion planets (that’s too many zeros to reasonably type out), no two of which will be alike. Each will have it’s own flora and fauna as well as alien races to encounter. Exploration and survival, along with combat and trading, are the four pillars of the game and you must do all of them to succeed.
The universe is so big that the publisher estimates that over 99% of if it will never be seen by the players, and while you are online while you play the chances of meeting another player are reportedly less than 1%, but if you do meet someone you’ll be able to play together.
The main takeaway from all this is that No Man’s Sky is huge and ambitious and potentially a major game changer. It’ll be out on August 9th on PlayStation 4.
LD Expert Damion chats Glamping Accessories on Edmonton’s CTV Morning Live
Watch the full interview here.
Flickr Photo: “Glamping!” by Noam, Jemima & Lila
For many, roughing is just rough. They like the outdoors, but not being uncomfortable. And separation from technology sounds like the start of a spooky campfire story. For them, now there’s “glamping.” A combination of glamorous and camping, it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Recently, LD Expert Damion G. shared some fabulous London Drugs “glamping” accessories on Edmonton’s CTV Morning Live. Here’s our:
LD Expert Joe Bortnick chats with CTV Morning Live Anchor Darrell Romuld.
Watch the full interview here.
There is no clear winner in the age-old debate between SLR, which allow more control and zoom, and point-and-shoot cameras, which are smaller and simple to use. Of course, London Drugs carries both. But if you fancy the latter, Joe Bortnick from London Drugs Grassland recently appeared on CTV Morning Live in Regina to discuss your best options and key considerations.
Panasonic LUMIX ZS100: Traditionalists will love the hands-on manual feel of a lens-mounted control ring and thumbwheel, plus the familiarity of an eye-level electronic viewfinder. The modern enthusiast will love the Wi-Fi controllability and next-generation 4K video and photos.
Joe says: The 10x optical zoom will give you the ability to get a great shot of one of your kids scoring a great goal.
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III: Sony meticulously fine-tuned and aligned the lens, image sensor and image processing engine with a precision beyond anything possible in interchangeable lens cameras to achieve stunning image quality surpassing all expectations.
Joe says: Due to its excellent sensor, in lower light, it’s going to outperform some of your more basic systems.
Canon PowerShot G5 X: Suitable for tremendous enlargements, significant cropping and many other applications appealing to the advanced photographer.The PowerShot G5 X’s lens works in concert with the camera’s sensor and image processor to reliably deliver sharp images.
Joe says: Great for weddings when you can’t bring a DSLR but want to take great distance shots with lots of control.
Extra Tips: A tripod is a great addition to any photographer’s toolkit and a high-speed memory card is essential if you plan on shooting any 4k video.
As Joe says, these particular cameras are near the top of the line for point-and-shoot. If you’re not ready for that level of commitment, LD carries great camera options at every price point to meet your needs.
LD Expert David Levitt chats with CTV Morning Live Weather Host Phil Darlington.
Watch the full interview here.
Many know about Fitbit and other wearable fitness trackers, which connect to the internet to monitor many aspects of health. But fewer know about the range of similar devices designed to monitor your home.
David Levitt from London Drugs Grassland recently appeared on CTV Morning Live in Regina, Saskatchewan to discuss the emerging smarthomes trend.
He showed off many such gadgets available at London Drugs, including:
Eve Outdoor Weather Sensor by Elegato: Eve Weather is built to live outside, and with IPX3 water resistance, even a little rain won’t hurt. Keep track of the weather at your actual home, and easily access your personal data right on your iPhone and iPad.
Note: Elegato also makes an indoor sensor.
mydlink WiFi Water Sensor by D-Link: It alerts you when water is detected, letting you know of a leak before it becomes a disaster. Use your mobile device to monitor what’s happening at home, even when you’re on the go with push notifications to your iOS or Android device.Leaks don’t always happen near an available outlet. That’s why D-Link has designed their 1 metre extension cable to be extended even further using any Standard RJ-11 phone cable.
Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter by Elegato: Live smarter by knowing more about the place you care about most. With Eve Energy, switch your devices on or off with a simple tap, and instantly see how much energy your devices are using.
Note: Elegato devices currently do not support Android.
WiFi Video Doorbell by Ring: With Ring, you’re always home. That’s because, with wide angled HD video, smart motion detection, and cloud recording, it’s like you’re home even when you’re not. It even allows you to monitor your property from hundreds of miles away!
At LD, we know even the most useful gadgets have to fit within a budget in most Canadian homes. Not to worry. David also assured viewers that these devices will not break the bank, “They are entry-level priced, but not entry level in terms of what you get.”
Watch the full interview here.
With another glorious — if famously short — Canadian summer just around the bend, now is a great time to either get into or upgrade your wearable fitness technology.
Whether you’re a serious athlete, working on getting back in shape, or anyone in between, there’s a wearable that’s perfect for you. These devices have been around a while, but there are currently more options than ever, including those with GPS and heart rate tracking capabilities. Most are also web connected, allowing you to view your results online. Today, there are also stylish daywear options with even more unconventional wearables coming soon.
Unsure where to start? Read on for advice direct from our trusted LD Experts.
A new gadget might give you the motivation you need to meet your fitness goals.
An effective way to begin meeting your daily activity goals is with a standard step-counter, also called a pedometer. These deceivingly simple tools provide valuable feedback about your fitness regimen, whether that’s a 2k morning run or parking a few blocks from work.
A good recommended first goal, straight from Canada’s own Heart and Stroke Foundation, is 10,000 steps per day.
The Fitbit Blaze offers both fashion and function for fitness tracking.
Wanna take it to the next level? The subtle and affordable Fitbit Flex is the true standard-bearer for all fitness wearables. It counts your steps, but also distance travelled, calories burned, and sleep quality. You’ll need to wear it always to get the best results, but millions of current users agree it’s worth it.
Better still, this device, as well as others like it, links wirelessly to a web application that lets you chart your progress. Pharmacist (and LD Expert) Sam Ma says the social element, which allows friends and family to team-up and unlock ‘Badges’ together, makes it an excellent option. It’s kinda like being in Scouts all over again.
Of course, there are more capable wearables for those who want to take fitness tracking to still higher levels. Some track your heart rate throughout the day, which you can then review online in the evening. Others, including options from the navigation experts at Garmin, track your location using GPS. This is especially useful for those who enjoy outdoor runs or bike rides. There are a wide number of advanced wearables available to provide a tracking edge for everything from swimming and skiing to mountain climbing.
A fitness wearable that many overlook are sport-optimized earphones, which could include bluetooth connectivity, built in FM tuners, and even fitness tracking functions. Chris Gibson, a technology buyer and LD Expert, notes he’s also excited by the fitness-encouraging potential of GoPro cameras. Many use these devices to capture amazing footage of extreme sports, like mountain biking and waterskiing.
These days, wearable fitness tracker owners increasingly demand better style and ground-breaking approaches. That includes a subtle daywear fitness watch from Timex, which tracks steps, and the Fitbit Blaze, a premium all-in-one fitness wearable and smartwatch with a sleek, modern look.
Gibson says the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is fitness tracking clothing, such as biometric exercise shirts.
Whether you’re eager to adopt all the newest advances in wearable fitness technology or you’re looking to begin a digital journey toward a better you, the tech-savvy staff at London Drugs are keen to help. Find an LD Expert at a store near you.
Chris Gibson is a self-declared gadget geek with a love of all technology, from phones to drones. As an Electronics Buyer for London Drugs, he travels the world looking for new tech to bring to LD customers, and loves to see new and creative uses for gadgets in everyday life. Outside of work, he is a husband and father to two girls that constantly challenge him to use tech to keep one step ahead of them. Twitter: @cav_ok
Sam Ma is an avid photography enthusiast who enjoys playing sports, collecting wristwatches, and singing. He also loves to eat ramen noodles and just about anything soupy. Sam is a Patient Care Pharmacist who, in addition to dispensing and counselling on medications, is responsible for running annual health clinics such as the Osteoporosis Screening clinic. He is always more than willing to help you with your questions and health care needs.
