5 Must-Have Tech for First Year University Students

The back to school season has a different ring to it this September for university and college students—especially during their first year. It’s so long high school, hello lecture hall! Exams will be much more difficult (uh oh), but it’s also the beginning of amazing adventures, new friendships, and life-long memories.

Whether you’re a student living on campus in a dorm room or commuting to early morning study sessions, it’s always smart to be equipped with tech that has your back. From note-taking to playlist-making, we’ve gathered the top five gadgets for first-year university students.


Apple iPad with WiFi and Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil Apple iPad London Drugs Back to School

Create, learn, work and play like never before with the Apple iPad with WiFi. This version has all-day battery, so it will stay powered up during every long lecture. The immersive 9.7-inch Multi-Touch Retina display now has Apple Pencil capability—you can take notes, annotate, or sketch with virtually no delay!

HP Sprocket Portable ZINK Photo Printer

HP Sprocket Back to School Tech London Drugs

As a first-year, you’ll be experiencing campus life and making so many memories at college and university! Make sure all those photos don’t just stay on your phone—print them out with the HP Sprocket portable printer. Post them up in your dorm or share them with Mom and Dad back home (you know they’ll love them).

JVC Flats Wireless Headphones

JVC Flats Headphones London Drugs Back to School Tech

Music can be the best way to create soothing background noise as you study—or pump you up for a run to clear your head before exam day! The bluetooth-enabled JVC Flats are fashionable, lightweight headphones that have 11 hours of listening time. Choose pink, blue, black or grey, depending on your personal style.

Logiix Qi Wireless Charger and Stand

Logiix Qi Wireless Charger and Stand London Drugs Back to School

As a student, it’s always nice to have tech that makes your life easier. Just place your Android or iPhone X on the Logiix QI wireless charging stand to charge wirelessly from anywhere. At a fast 10W speed, too! Now, you won’t have to go digging for a cord in your backpack anymore.

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch London Drugs Back to School Tech

After cramming for tests, sometimes it’s nice to chill out and play a few games. The Nintendo Switch is designed to go wherever you do, transforming from home console to portable system in a snap. If you’re not at home or at your dorm, take your game with you in handheld mode—even to study hall for a quick brain break!


Head to London Drugs in-store or online to find everything you need for back to school tech! Our LD Experts would love to help.

7 Tech Gadgets to Reduce Holiday Stress

With Christmas right around the corner… there’s no time to stress! The holiday season inspires joy, excitement, and family comfort. What’s not to love about spending quality time with the most important people in your life, sipping warm drinks by the fireplace and decorating your home?

Family relaxing over Christmas - London Drugs blog

Unfortunately, we can easily find ourselves feeling a little overwhelmed with office parties, gift exchanges, family reunions and our kids’ school events. No matter how many commitments are booked into your calendar, there never seems to be quite enough time to get anything done – let alone finish Christmas shopping!

Thankfully, we have the tech to help make everyone’s life just a little easier – including your own!

Get into the festive spirit this winter and check out the following 7 tech gadgets that are bound to eliminate some of your holiday stress, while also making great gifts for friends, coworkers and family!

Nest Learning Thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat - London Drugs

A thermostat may seem like a strange gift to pick up for the holidays, but trust us, the Nest Learning Thermostat is well worth it. Particularly useful during the chilly Canadian winters, this remote-controlled tech gadget can be used right from your smartphone, tablet or laptop through WiFi connectivity. With energy-saving options, safety alerts, and automatic adjustments from your personal energy history, just think – no more coming home to a frigid home, and no more waking up in the middle of the night to adjust the heat!

iQ Keychain Power Bank

iQ Keychain Bank - London Drugs

A fantastic option for stocking stuffers, the IQ Keychain Power Bank is a necessity for busy, on-the-go people who use their portable technology on a day-to-day basis. The keychain feature makes this power bank easily accessible and always within reach when in need. For those days where you forget to charge your phone, or your laptop runs out of battery, simply plug into the IQ Keychain without the stress of finding an available power outlet in public.

TouCan Hands Free Can Opener

 

TouCan Hands Free Can Opener - London Drugs

Opening cans with faulty (and often painful!) can openers can be the bane of your existence, especially when in a hurry and with a hungry family to feed. Another great stocking stuffer option (perhaps for the cook in your life, or for anyone with joint pain) the TouCan Hands Free Can Opener makes opening cans of all shapes and sizes completely effortless. With just a push of the button, anyone can seamlessly prepare their meals, without the mess and frustration.

Belkin Wireless Charging Pad

Belkin Charging Pad - London Drugs

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a charging pad, now is the time! More than ever, we’re glued to our phones and tablets for personal as well as work use throughout the day, making it easy to run out of battery life. The hassle of finding (let alone de-tangling!) the large amount of mismatched chargers you need could give anyone a headache. Thankfully, the Belkin Wireless Charging Pad provides a quick solution to this everyday stress. After a long day at work, place your smartphone, tablet or powerbank (no need to remove any cases!) within the charging ring, and enjoy the luxury of cordless freedom.

Global Data SIM Card

 

Visiting family or friends over the holidays, and travelling outside of your designated carrier zone? Know anyone who travels frequently overseas, and could benefit from some extra coverage? Look no further! Pick up the AOW Global Data SIM Card for yourself or as a gift and enjoy 4G LTE access to over 90 countries across the globe. Choose from hourly plans, by day, or by storage, and pre-schedule before you leave. The Global Data SIM Card is compatible with any unlocked smartphone, and will not only save you the effort of finding secure WiFi, but allows you to stay connected with loved ones via apps without daunting roaming fees.

London Drugs Rechargeable Wine Opener

London Drugs Rechargable Wine Opener

If you don’t need one of these in your kitchen cupboard, guaranteed you know someone who does! Just like opening a can, grappling with a tricky cork can result in nicked fingers, compromised wine and most likely a bad mood. Avoid the fuss and save your energy with the London Drugs Rechargeable Wine Opener. This sleek electric opener can be easily recharged when needed, and makes a great gift for any wine connoisseur.

Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Ring Wi-Fi Doorbell - London Drugs

Ordered your Christmas gifts online and anxious for them to be delivered to your door? More often than not, you won’t be home mid-day to receive your parcels. With the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell, there’s no need to rush home to see if your packages have arrived! With wide angled HD video and instant alerts straight to your phone, this futuristic doorbell can also act as a security monitor, alerting you of what’s going on outside without having to be at home! Great for families with children, the doorbell also offers a safe way for kids to see who’s at the door without having to answer it.

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook

The days are colder, the nights are longer, and we’ve fallen back, ending Daylight Saving Time. Time to start planning for the holidays! Do you know what gifts you’re going to get for your loved ones this year? We’re here to help.


Throughout November and December, we’ll be posting holiday gift guides for everyone on your list, with a wide range of gift ideas and price points on each. From showstopper items to smaller stocking stuffers, we’ve got you covered.

We’re starting our holiday gift guides with ideas for the home cook in your life. Whether you know an adventurous chef or a young person just learning the basics, you can’t go wrong with kitchen-y gifts. Everyone needs to cook!

Here’s our guide to buying the perfect kitchen goodie for the home cook on your list.

1. Introduce Them to the Joys of the Crock-Pot Life

The Crock-Pot Express 8 in 1 Multicooker is an outstanding gift for the home chef. It’s a convenient way to make delicious, hearty fare that will nourish an entire household. The bonus? It does all the work while you’re out preparing for the holidays or relaxing with a good book. 

 

This particular model is an 8 in 1 wonder appliance, with settings for rice cooking, yogurt making, and more. Include some recipes with your gift so the recipient can get started with it right away–we’ve got a list of 3 sensational crock-pot recipes right here.

[Photo: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

2. Elevate Their Coffee Game

Chances are your foodie friend loves coffee just as much as they do cooking. But do they have all the tools needed to make a truly great cup of coffee? A real chef will appreciate a grinder to grind their own beans to the perfect coarseness for their coffee maker of choice.

Do they need a new coffee maker? Why not a cold brew coffee maker to make delicious cold brew at home! If they love design as well as functionality, this beautiful Bodum pour over coffee maker with a classic cork band will look gorgeous on their shelves. And for those that would prefer to spend their time cooking rather than making coffee, a Keurig K-Cup machine to make the perfect cup every time with no effort on their part. Help them end their dinner parties with just the right amount of coffee, and without stress.

3. Restock with Beautiful Basics

Chances are, the home cook in your life has a solid set of pots, pans, and knives, but those good reliable basics may need some upgrading. Non-stick coating wears off and pans get scratched–it happens to the best of us. This Gotham Steel 10 Piece set is made with stainless steel, and the cooking surface is scratch resistant and oven safe. If your friend is a little more traditional, you can’t go wrong with a good cast iron skillet.

 

Even if they have a good set of kitchen basics, no home cook worth their salt can resist a beautiful new tool that’s good for cooking and serving. Think colourful enameled cast iron dutch ovens, cookware classy enough to go from oven to table, and quintessential white CorningWare dishes.

4. Give a Gaggle of Gadgets

The best part about being a cook is that there’s always a cool new tool to try. Specialized utensils, gadgets designed to make a job easier, or niche appliances would make great gifts for the kitchen connoisseur in your life. Add some tools to their toolbelt!

It can seem overwhelming trying to find something that they don’t already have, but if you pick something related to a recent food trend, you’re generally good to go. Think spiralizers, cupcake carriers, and milk frothers.

Or go the other way, and pick up tools that will always be useful: multi-blade herb scissors, a knife sharpener, or an egg poacher. This knife mat will corral their blades and keep them sharp, while this covered bowl with included serving set is perfect for bringing to parties. No matter who you’re buying for, there’s a gadget out there for them.

For more gift-giving advice for the home cook on your list, speak to an LD Expert today. To make a purchase, visit London Drugs in-store and online. We’ll be back next week with a gift guide for kids (and parents). See you then!

See all of our 2017 Holiday Gift Guides here:

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids (and Parents)

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Techies

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the DIYer

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Music Lovers

LD Experts: Our Best Back to School Advice for 2016

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LD Expert Julian Sanders talks Back-to-School Gadgets on Edmonton’s CTV Morning Live – CLICK TO VIEW

The days are shorter, the kids are restless, and you’re starting to organize the return to your “regular” schedule. Yep. It’s back-to-school time again. READ MORE

The Ultimate 2016 Student Gadgets Guide

Attention College Students: it’s time to think again about #dormlife. Whether you’re entering your first year or you’re a vet of shower flip-flops and common room chill-outs, this guide is for you. (Yes, you should still check it out if you’re “living large” off campus.)

London Drugs College Gadget Guide

You’ll need survival basics and school supplies, of course. And London Drugs also has you covered for student tablets and study session laptops.

But then there’s the fun stuff. Those small, supposedly optional, but massively life-saving protectors of your comfort and happiness.

That’s right: student gadgets. Here are some to consider scooping up for 2016. READ MORE