News & Blog

With Christmas having just passed not too long ago, gifting a hoverboard may have been on your list of things to give. As pricey gifts (because who are we kidding, a good hoverboard is never cheap), it would be comforting to know it is being taken care of to last so that as the gift giver, you know you got your money's worth. As a new shiny toy however, proper maintenance tips may not always be known so don't worry, you don't have to panic search anymore.  Make Sure Your Hoverboard is Charged Before the hoverboard is ridden, ensure that there is a full charge so the rider can really take full advantage of its speed and range. A typical charge time takes 2-3 hours, in which time it is important to NOT overcharge your hoverboard's battery. This can cause the battery to wear down a lot faster, giving a shorter ride time, and ultimately shortening the lifespan of the hoverboard.  It's also equally important to not leave the the hoverboard sitting dead. This can harm the health of the battery preventing it from charging, and creating the need to get the battery replaced. It's recommended for the times the hoverboard is not in use to charge the battery a few times a month to keep the battery active. Think of it like your car, you wouldn't leave it sitting for weeks on end with no use because that will affect the car's battery life. The same applies to your hoverboard. Give It Time To Cool Down After a while of riding/usage, hoverboards can heat up pretty easily, just like your smartphone does after it's used continuously. This isn't anything to be alarmed about, all you have to do is let your hoverboard rest and cool down after a heavy riding session before you plug the charger in and use it again. This allows your hoverboard's battery to get back down to a safe state to charge.  Stay Clear of Water This should come as no shock to you that as an electrical device, it doesn't get along too well with water, hates it actually, like ants hate Raid. While some hoverboards do have a water resistance level, it's best to try to keep the hoverboard as dry as possible. This means refraining from riding through puddles, around water, or in heavy rain to risk any damage. With most warranty coverages water damage is not included, which means that's more money out your pockets to get it fixed and from one rich deficient person to another... it's not cheap, just putting that out there.  Practice Safe Riding   It goes without saying that riding a hoverboard safely is an absolute must. They are unique devices to ride and like any motorized transport, they can be dangerous. So trying out tricks and such when you are not in full control of the board will not end well. A general rule of thumb is to be sensible when riding your hoverboard, they are meant to be used for fun and entertainment purposes,  but that doesn't mean getting reckless while riding. To maximize on the rider's safety, it is recommended to ride with protective gear (i.e. helmet, knee pads, etc.) should anything happen.  Moral of the story is to guard the hoverboard with your life, treat it like it's a new baby in the family; you no longer have your own life, it is your life now. That's an extreme way to look at it, so on a more calmer note, keeping the given tips in mind will help to prolong the life of your hoverboard. There are additional tips given in the manual provided with your hoverboard if you need more specifics, but this is just a general overview of key things to in mind when maintaining your hoverboard so it lasts. 

The innovation with finding faster and easier ways to charge your devices continues to grow over time, and now the most convenient way of them all has seemed to arrive with MagSafe chargers. With simplicity and fast charging combined, these chargers are meant to provide the ultimate charging experience. But with the newness of these chargers, not much is known about their benefits, and potentially their downsides. How Can It Benefit You? One of the key benefits of MagSafe chargers is the improvement of wireless charging. Compatible with the new iPhones (12 and up) with a 15W power output, they are meant to provide a faster charge compared to all other wireless chargers. This is possible because unlike other wireless chargers that requires you to place your phone directly above the coil for an efficient charge, a MagSafe charger uses the built in magnets to properly align your phone with the charger. This removes the possibility of your phone not charging without you realizing because it wasn't placed on the charger properly. I know I'm not the only one that's woken up to frustration of my phone not charging over night like intended....really helps with the morning grumpiness.  With a faster charge, you have more time in your day to do what you need to without worrying about having to leave your phone in one place to charge. Not only that, but there's also new possibilities when it comes to charging with a case. Apple has built-in MagSafe into the back of its silicone and clear cases which allows you to use MagSafe accessories even with a case on. This adds just a little more convenience to the charging process as you will not always need to remove your phone case in order to charge.  What Are The Downsides? The first issue is that MagSafe chargers can leave rings on the outer leather or silicone casings of your phone. This may not be a big issue to some, but it can be a concern to keep in mind for those who like to keep their phone cases pristine.  In relation to your phone case, if you choose to charge your phone through the phone case, or simply have your cards between the MagSafe charger and your phone, it could damage the magnetic strip on your cards, and even passport. A simple solution to this is to just remove the cards or the case when charging so you can prevent this from happening.  MagSafe chargers are an innovative way to charge that comes with advantages, and disadvantages. But in this case, the good outweighs the bad as there are simple solutions when encountering those issues. So in all, a MagSafe charger may just prove to be worth your while. 

We've finally reached the end of this very challenging year, being no less than mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. This may not have you in the headspace to think of new things to achieve for the new year -understandably so- but setting up a few goals for ourselves, however big/small keeps us working on ourselves. We may not be having the start to 2021 the way we'd like, but we can still set goals for ourselves throughout to add some motivation to our daily life as we ride out this pandemic. Get Into The Fitness Life Whether you are a physically active person or not, having some physically activity in your life can only bring you benefits. The best part is, you don't need a gym for this, you can still engage in physical activity from home, and with all the time we're spending at home now, you might as well right? You can put on a YouTube workout video, get some lightweight home equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands, an at home foldable treadmill, or even just going for a run around your neighborhood (with a mask). It doesn't have to be anything crazy, even just a couple times a week, the energy boost and feel-good feeling afterwards is so worth it.  Set Aside Time for Rest 2021 is the year of self-care, and part of that self-care includes resting your body when it needs. Some of us neglect this rest, not making it a priority compared to others things, but resting our bodies is important to make sure our physical and mental health is being taken cared of. 2020 was already a difficult year, let's take some time to show our bodies that care it needs to thrive this year.  Learn a new skill With all the extra time on our hands, instead of binging on Netflix on the couch or in bed with your snacks on deck (yes, I'm calling you out, it's been 3 days..) why not use that time to practice a new skill. It doesn't matter if you have a skill of interest, or have no idea what type of skill you'd learn, there are plenty of resources available (hint: google) where you can search and get help with learning a skill. You can practice your cooking skills, drawing skills, learn a new language, a new instrument, or even teaching your cat to use a toilet to keep things entertaining. This extra time at home is your oyster! Create a Morning Routine You'll Stick To  Getting up early in the mornings is not a cheerful experience for everyone. I know for me I need a minimum of 1 hour to warm up, that first hour I am just a grouch, and should not be mingled with. Creating a morning routine that's realistic can make such a difference from waking up miserable and wanting to go back to sleep, to actually enjoying being awake and functional. Starting the day off in a positive mood really sets the tone for the day, and gives you more time in the day to get stuff done. Start a Gratitude Journal   As rough as this year was, there's no doubt that some, if not most of us may have been overwhelmed mentally and emotionally focusing more on the negatives we're experiencing, compared to the positive. While it's good to be aware of societal occurrences, it is also important to remind yourself of the good going on in your life, which is where a gratitude journal comes in. On those bad days, or days you're feeling lower the normal, try to write down things you are grateful for to help turn your mood around and keep you grounded. You'll be surprised the mental relief this provides. The goal setting process can be overwhelming to some, but it doesn't need to be! You can start with little goals like making your bed each morning, etc., and working your way up. You have the whole year to set goals for yourself, and achieve them; make it yours. 

We're only a few days away from Christmas, and while the Christmas joy may be a little bleak this year, does not mean it's canceled. Whether you are in a city that is currently undergoing a lockdown or not, keeping safe Covid-19 practices in mind through the holidays will only help us in the long run to overcome this pandemic. To keep this Christmas safe so we can enjoy more to come, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:  Refrain from having large social gatherings indoors or outdoors beyond those in your immediate household. This includes family members, friends, or people you trust. The less interaction, the lesser the chances of spreading to others If you live alone and/or require additional support, you are eligible to join another household without exceeding the recommended number of 10 people  It is still recommended to wear a mask and maintain a 6-foot distance from anyone who doesn't live with you  Avoid all non-essential travel unless absolutely necessary Only leave your home for essential reasons, including for work, school, groceries, or health related reasonings  Continue washing your hands as much as possible, and where not possible, ensuring you are using a form of hand disinfectant to keep your hands clean These practices just provide a structure to celebrating Christmas safely, but you can still enjoy this special day with those you can, having video calls with those you can't so it feels like you're all together. The safer we are, the faster the outcome. 

With all the uncertainty 2020 has brought, the pandemic affecting Christmas came as no surprise, but it still sucked to hear. Depending on where you are, you may be spending Christmas indoors this year. I know, it hurts me just saying that...BUT, hold back the tears because there are multiple ways to keep the Christmas spirit alive instead of being in a Christmas funk. If there was ever a time to use your imagination to get creative with an idea, it would be now.  Bobbing For Candy Canes Almost everyone is familiar with the game bobbing for apples, only this time there'd be a Christmas spin to it. Instead of using apples, you would replace them with candy canes! To make it even more fun, you could add different rules to make it a little more challenging i.e. not being allowed to use your tongue to help scoop the candy cane, only using your teeth. You can even fill the bobbing container with eggnog (if you're bold enough), instead of water to really bring a Christmas vibe to it. The memories will create itself with this game.  Christmas Movie Marathon With all the festivities that surround Christmas, it's damn near impossible to not watch at least one Christmas movie during the Christmas season. The sappy, emotional, and/or humorous storylines that always end on a note of love undoubtedly draws you in. Which is why having a Christmas movie marathon is a common activity to get you in the Christmas Spirit (and in your feelings if we're being honest). Just picture yourself drinking hot chocolate, cuddled up under a blanket on your bed or couch with your favorite snacks, a Christmas scented candle lit in the back, getting ready to watch one of the latest Holiday movies on Netflix....I'm already relaxed. Decorating Your Favorite Desserts The food lover in me immediately gravitates to all the Christmas snacks and desserts that come with Christmas, so having some time put aside to decorate those desserts is all the more fun. Whether you're with family, friends, or enjoying the time with yourself, decorating your favorite treats is a fun way to pass time, especially if you put a little challenge to it. For example, with your desired decorations laid out (i.e. frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chip, etc.), you could put a minute timer for each person to decorate, and the best to decorate in that time gets to choose the movie for the night, or the worst to decorate in that time has to clean up the mess made. Christmas is all about having fun, and this is one way to get into it.  Holiday Karaoke  Along with Christmas movies being a favorite seasonal activity, so is the joy that comes with singing Christmas songs. While I may be tone deaf when it comes to singing, that does not stop my love for singing my favorite holiday tunes. And what's a better way to have others hear your lovely singing than with a karaoke speaker. It makes for a fun time with the family, friends, or with yourself, as you belt out "Baby It's Cold Outside", singing both parts because yes, you are that talented.  Christmas may be different this year, but that doesn't mean it has to be less enjoyable. Get creative with different ideas to keep the Christmas spirit alive and continue making memories. The pandemic has taken a lot this year, but we can still salvage some of the happiness that comes with Christmas. 

The ultimate time for savings has officially come back around, and a lot of us are still in the market for Christmas gifts. If you're within the Toronto Region, then your holiday spirit may be taking a small hit this year due to the current lockdown. BUT, whether you're stuck indoors, or are free to roam around, you can still enjoy the Holiday Season, and save on gifts with all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to come when you ✨online shop ✨. The gift ideas and savings await you... Bring The Party To You  While a lot of us may be indoors this year, that doesn't mean the fun has to stop. Bring the Christmas Spirit back to life with the IMGadgets Bluetooth Karaoke Speaker, as you sing, dance, and/or play your favorite Christmas songs while spending time (in safe numbers) with your family and friends. Nothing says Christmas like belting Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"  to your heart's content as your family and friends join is as your background singers, and even dancers.  Light Up The Holidays Keep the spirits high this Christmas with the gift of good lighting. For those of us that may not be able to physically be around family and friends for the Holidays, a ring light offers you the clarity you need to feel like you are with them. Whether it's for video calls, taking family pictures, or shooting some Christmas videos, having good lighting will only bring positive vibes to your Holidays.  Ride Into The Holiday Spirit Although it is winter and you may not be able to put it to use just yet, an electric scooter will definitely bring some excitement to your Christmas. Once the weather permits, it can even replace your transport to work on good days if it's within range. Just think of the fun that can come with riding an electric scooter that ALSO saves you money....sounds like a jolly Christmas to me. At this point you're probably like "that's it, only 3 gift ideas??" but don't worry, there's plenty more gift ideas where these came from to really make your Christmas memorable. It'll be even more special when you shop with Black Friday deals so you know you got someone you love a gift they'll enjoy without breaking the bank. 

As far as e-mobility goes, hoverboards are one of the unique methods of transportation youngsters and adults use to get around. With different features like Bluetooth so you can play music as you ride, or an app so you can control and track the ride. Some even have all-terrain wheels so you can ride on different surfaces more easily and freely, allowing you to explore more as you ride.  However, the one place your self-balancing hoverboard cannot go is into water. As an electrical mobility product, hover boards require electrical components to function, and to-date water and electricity don't get along too well. The motherboard and lithium-ion battery that gives your self-balancing scooter life are not built to handle water. That means if the hoverboard is submerged in a puddle deep enough, it will likely no longer work (and trust me, you don't want that because replacing the battery or motherboard is not the cheapest thing).  But don't worry, while hoverboards aren't waterproof, some are water resistant to a certain extent. They may be able to handle being ridden in a light drizzle, while others can survive being ridden over a few small puddles- though we still recommend staying away from water overall to not risk the damage. To determine the water resistance level of your hover board, you can check your board's IP rating. Most hoverboards have an IP rating of 4, which means it can handle splashing water against the exterior without being damaged. But even with this rating, water-resistant boards are not meant to be submerged in water at any depth. So it's important to still try to be wary of how much water your hoverboard is exposed to, to prevent internal damage.  Make Sure To Check The Warranty As with all electronics, there is some form of warranty that is given with the product. But in most cases, most manufacturers will have a policy that doesn't cover water damage, which means if anything happens to your board because of water, it'll be out of your pocket to fix.  Before purchasing your hoverboard make sure you understand the warranty policy that comes with the board, and if applicable, if there's an option for extended warranty. This extended warranty can either be towards the time period of the warranty, or towards the terms of coverage to potentially include water damage. This allows you to prepare yourself for any future water related accidents that may happen, and/or informs you of your options if water damage occurs so you're not surprised by the lack of warranty coverage. If the incident occurs that water gets into the hoverboard, IMMEDIATETLY turn it off, and contact the manufacturer to find out about the options you have to fix. So to answer the earlier question: no, hoverboards are not waterproof. The fact of the matter is that a dry hoverboard is your friend; you'll get plenty of ride time, while a wet hoverboard will very quickly become a pain in the a** with now having to deal with how to fix it. The best way to keep your hooverboard functional is to keep it on dry land so you can get the most out of it. 

With all this year has thrown at us, I know a lot of us were looking forward to having some Halloween fun this year, but just because we can't have the usual fun outdoors doesn't mean Halloween is cancelled! There's still plenty of things you can do to maintain the Halloween festivities while indoors. So get your costumes ready (yes, still get dressed) and prepare yourself to make the most of this Halloween. Have a Halloween Karaoke Night  There's never a bad time to have a dance party, and why not spend the night dancing and singing your hearts out to your favorite songs while in costume. You can even stay in theme and play Halloween playlists to keep the spooky spirits alive. Bring the party to life even more with the IMGadgets Karaoke Speaker's TWS feature for a surround sound effect to really have some fun!   Carve Pumpkins  As a classic Halloween activity, you can never go wrong pumpkin carving with the whole family. You can either do a free-hand design to express your creativity, or follow a design template. Either way, it's easy and simple fun for the whole family and you can put your work out for display for an added touch to the night. Scary Movie Marathon Whether you decide to dress up in costume or not, cozying up on your bed or couch with your favorite snacks to be frightened from the comfort of your home is great to get you in the Halloween mood. After all, Halloween wouldn't be the same without a little scare from some classics (if you're up for it), so why not one you have easy access out of by turning off the TV.  Play Halloween Games You can still have fun at home without a party by playing some classic Halloween games. One of those games could be apple bobbing, spicing it up with the winner getting a bag of candy or changing the water the apples are in to Eggnog, you're free to get creative with it! Spooky Crafts  Keep the kids entertained by picking up some supplies to make some themed crafts. They can be Halloween themed, or you can get prepared early with some Christmas themed crafts to decorate around the house.  With all these ways to have fun indoors this Halloween, this spooky day can be made to be just as memorable with the right motivation and the right ideas.   

When it comes to charging our phones, it comes down to two options: wired or wireless. Deciding between the two involves knowing the positives and negatives for both, and which may prove to be more effective for your lifestyle.  Wired Charging Benefits With wired charging, a top benefit is that it will provide a faster charge if you're short on time. The direct wall-to-phone connection saves you those precious minutes if you're in a rush to get enough charge in your phone to last as you head out.  As your phone is charging you still have full usage capabilities with limited mobility to use your phone. Though this may get annoying if you have to continually unplug/plug your phone throughout the day, you still have the ability to use your phone to scroll on Twitter, Instagram, or check emails. Disadvantages  Since it is a wired charger, over time the cord and your phone port does risk wear and tear with continuous plugging/unplugging. Eventually this can lead the cord to fraying and breaking open, which can expose you to the wiring inside.  Wireless Charging Benefits You have a lot more freedom when using a wireless charger with not being tethered to a cord while charging, and no longer having to search for the right cord to charge your phone. It's a different satisfaction being freed from having to deal with cords (aka that annoyance that comes with having to detangle or hold a certain way to get charge...we've all been there) and being able to simply place your phone on the pad and carry on with your day. Whenever you need it just grabbing the phone and going, it really is bliss.  As long as a device is Qi enabled, you aren't limited to what the wireless charger can be used to charge. For example there are wireless chargers that can charge different things like your smart watch, and earbuds/airpods. This cuts down your need to buy different chargers, when you can just have the one wireless charger to cover most of your charging needs. Imagine how much simpler things would be, I'm already less stressed.  Disadvantages  Compared to a direct wall plug charger, the charging speed is a little slower with a wireless charger since there isn't a direct transfer of power. Although slower, it isn't a dramatic decrease in charging time, still offering an adequate charge. To be able to use a wireless charger, your device must be Qi enabled, which not all phones are. This can act as a limitation because of the confined convenience it offers.  Choosing Your Charger So which do you get? That all depends on your lifestyle and how you use your device. If you have a more on-the-go lifestyle then a wireless charger may be more suited for you with the added convenience it offers. If you have a more stationary lifestyle then a wired charger may be more for you as it matches your level of productivity. 

It's been a long and fun summer (to an extent due to Miss Corona), and I'm sure you've been maximizing your time outdoors more than usual with all the free time we've had to make use of. Along with the increase of people bike riding, in searching for fun things to do outdoors, scooting has grown even more popular amongst the public for leisurely riding or commuting. As fun as they are, scootering comes with many health benefits for growing kids and adults as well. I bet $1 you probably haven't thought too much of any health benefits that came with riding a scooter besides being fun. If you have then congratulations! You are a well researched scooter expert. If you haven't that's okay, you've now entered a ✨non-judgmental space of learning ✨, where you can relax with your coffee/tea and snacks as you become a little more knowledgeable on these benefits. For Kids: Balance Development  Learning and developing a sense of balance is important with the growth of any child. Scooter's come in handy with this because it requires the child to stand upright with one leg, and kick off the ground with the other, maintaining that balance as they ride. With some scooters for toddlers, they have a "lean-to-steer" mechanism that further promotes balance development as they lean through a turn Motor Skill Development When riding a scooter, it requires the use of your arms and legs independently from each other which helps to fine tune the riders motor skills. One foot kicks while the other balances, with their hands remaining on the handlebar balancing the scooter. All while keeping their head and eyes watching where they're going to look out for potential obstacles Coordination Development  Their coordination gets developed in conjunction with their motor skills from needing to steer, kick, balance, and brake all together. Once they progress from a 3-wheeled scooter to a 2-wheeled scooter, this coordination development will improve as they begin to scoot at higher (safe) speeds, avoid obstacles, stop, and maybe even learn to do tricks Cognitive Development A development you probably wouldn't have guessed, but riding a scooter does require critical thinking and quick decision making skills. Each time they ride they must make decisions on when to turn, brake, how much to lean without falling, and the best ways to avoid obstacles. This encourages your child to learn to make decisions and weigh their options properly Keeps Them Active The most obvious benefit is the healthy exercise a child gets when riding a scooter. It helps to keep them away from electronics and all that time in front of a screen, maximizing their time outdoors and being physically active For Adults : Muscle Development Balancing the scooter while riding puts a positive demand on your core and lower back muscles to remain stabilized. It also develops your legs and glute muscles with one leg being used to balance on the scooter as you ride (engaging your thigh and glute muscles), while the other kicks off the ground to propel you forward (engaging the ankle, calf, hamstrings, and glutes). In no time you'll start to see a difference in your fitness Endurance Development When riding a scooter you can easily build your endurance with the gentle aerobic exercise it provides. By continually kicking off the ground to maintain or gain momentum it elevates your heart rate to keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and active Fitness Improvement Riding a scooter is generally good exercise for your overall physical health. When you combine scootering with your commuting for example, you will most likely start shedding fat because you'll be burning more calories than you consume. Not only are you burning fat but you're also training and toning your leg muscles with each ride. It essentially becomes an exciting way to lose weight and get toned Overall, riding a scooter provides great health benefits for both kids and adults. Although some of the benefits listed seem to only apply when riding a kick scooter vs. electric scooter,  the great thing about some scooters is that they can be used as both! Kick into gear with the kick scooter for your fitness journey, or just use for a fun ride as an electric scooter. It's the best of both worlds any way you choose