Got an existing pastime or ready to learn something new…today’s technology can often enhance and create a more enriching experience.

While playing around with technology can be a hobby in and of itself—building computers, web design, or learning to code a videogame—tech also enhances virtually every other pastime you can think of. But, now, everything from reading and photography to crafting and cooking there are gadgets and gear to help you up your game and get the very most out of your time off.

Ready for some new ideas—nay, inspiration—the following are a few noteworthy examples that are bound to add value:

For campers, glampers, and RVers

While Canadians enjoy ubiquitous cellular service in our major city centres, great coverage is limited to only 18 per cent of the country.

And so, it can be tricky—if not impossible—to get bars on your phone in remote areas, which could be problematic in both emergency situations and for those of us needing to be in touch 24/7.

The good news…this past summer, Rogers launched Rogers Satellite, a service that lets those with a compatible smartphone—virtually any iPhone or Android device released over the past few years—to send text messages to any phone number (and 911) via low-earth orbit satellites.

Additionally positive…you don’t even need to be a Rogers customer. Once registered, your compatible phone will automatically connect in areas without cell service.

In partnership with SpaceX and Lynk Global, the satellite service will eventually support voice calls and data, too, including apps.

The beta trial ended in October, but the Rogers Satellite service is included at no additional cost to customers on the Rogers Ultimate Plan and has been made available to all Canadians for $15/month.

As the first wireless provider in Canada to offer this technology, Rogers says it now covers more than 5.4 million square kilometres. 

For outdoor sports enthusiasts

If it’s been a while since you’ve played around with a drone—or perhaps you never have—you’ll be blown away at the camera quality of these flying machines.

As such, they add to the experience for golfers, skiers and other outdoor sports lovers by easily capturing tee-off swing, powder carving or mountain bike runs.

With some models, like HOVERAir X1 Pro Max ($699), you won’t need any piloting or photography experience.

Simply take the drone out of your pocket, unfold it and launch it with the push of button. It can capture stunning 8K Ultra HD video and 4K slow motion at a silky smooth 120 frames-per-second. Thanks to advanced vision-based sensors, this baby will lock on and track subjects (i.e. you) and avoid any obstacles automatically. Get ready to achieve professional-grade aerial footage—with no piloting skills or editing expertise needed!

Weighing in at 192 grams, the HOVERAir X1 Pro is compact enough for an sports lover to carry in a jacket pocket or golf bag when it’s not in use. For those who prefer to mount and/or wear the camera—and capture video from a first-person perspective—the latest GoPro HERO13 ($469) is a significant update over its predecessor.

Despite having the same processor and sensor as the HERO12, advanced features now include an exciting new interchangeable lens system (supporting ultrawide, macro, and anamorphic) that automatically detects when attached. There are four neutral density filters (4, 8, 16, and 32); better battery life; improved high-dynamic range (HDR) performance; a magnetic mounting system; and optional USB-C passthrough.

It’s perfect for skiers and snowboarders, cyclists, surfers, and proud parents who want to follow along with their kids and teens recreational activities. 

Portable generators

A generator is another “must have” gadget for outdoor enthusiasts. Starting at $289, the Anker SOLIX line of portable power stations are essentially small power generators that run on a giant battery rather than gas.

The granddaddy of them all is the SOLIX F3000 ($2,599), a massive 3600-watt battery—with a handle and on wheels, like a suitcase—that can charge multiple devices simultaneously with its many AC and USB ports. In an emergency at home or at the cottage, it supports two days of cooling an 8 cu. ft fridge or multiple days of use for lights, laptops, small appliances, and CPAP machines.

There are two Anker’s 400-watt solar attachments ($799 each), capable of fully recharging the F3000 in under two hours with optimal sunlight.

For crafters, too

If you’ve always liked the idea of creating highly personalized items but was too intimidated to start, the Cricut Explore 4 cutting machine ($489) is an incredible tool for beginners and pro-crafters alike.

Design and create professional-looking and personalized projects, like jean jackets, custom coffee mugs, t-shirts, full-colour stickers, vinyl decals, greeting cards, decorative canvas bags, and much more.

 

Heck, you can even engrave metal, deboss leather and make big banners, as Cricut’s versatile and top-of-the-line cutter supports countless types of materials.

Up to twice as fast as the previous model, this compact yet powerful machine works with Cricut’s free and easy to use software, Design Space (on a computer or mobile app). 

Cricut Explore 4 includes materials to start you off, and with easy-to-follow setup instructions. No design experience required.

Together with Cricut’s Easy Press 3 heat press machine (from $129), you’ll have fun creating DIY projects that use iron-on, infusible ink, or sublimation materials. 

For bookworms

Whether you’re reading at home or on the go, the 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite ($185) now gives readers up to 25% faster page turns over its previous model, and offers a much higher contrast ratio—a measurement of how much brighter the white parts of the screen are compared to the black (the text).

If you’re reading by the pool or at the beach (er, or in a bubble bath), Kindle Paperwhite also offers IPX8 protection, which means it could be submerged in up to 2 metres of water (about 6.5 feet) for up to an hour.

Battery life tops 12 weeks via the included USB-C cable.

For an ereader with colour, consider the Kobo Libra Colour ($259), which is especially ideal for reading comics, graphic novels, kids books that have lots of illustrations. It’s also a great tool for who’d like to mark-up and annotate documents using highlighted text in multiple colours (like crafters, writers, students and businesspeople).

Buy, browse, and read e-books on its 7-inch glare-free “Kaleido 3” e-ink display. Swipe or tap the display to turn pages or use one of the two buttons. A sensor automatically turns on the front light when it detects you’re in a dark environment. Other features: auto-rotation (for switching to landscape or portrait view or to switch which side the buttons are on for left-handed folks); font and margin customization; and an optional dark mode which reverses the standard black text on a white background.

Rated IP68, Kobo Libra Colour is fully waterproof for up to 60 minutes submerged in as much as 2 meters (about 6 feet) of water. 

Speaking of water, this eco-friendly e-reader was created with ocean-bound plastic. And, as for battery life, a single charge will last up to 40 days. 

And something for meat lovers

Interested in some tasty tech for the barbeque afficionados? Starting at $1,199, Traeger’s Wi-Fi connected wood pellet grills allow you to perfect steak and veggies, smoke a brisket or bake an apple pie—all in the same machine—and using 100 percent real hardwood pellets as the fuel source.

As for where the technology comes in, Traeger’s WiFIRE technology lets you monitor or control the temperature (even from inside your home) through a companion app on a smartphone or tablet (which includes access to more than a thousand recipes), an Apple Watch on your wrist, or by using voice commands through a Google or Amazon smart speaker.

Its latest and top-of-the-line models, the Timberline ($4,499) and larger Timberline XL ($4,999), offer up to a whopping 3,353 square centimetres of cooking space; a new SmartCombustion system to help avoid flare-ups; full-colour touchscreen display; and a first-of-its-kind (well, in North America) induction cooktop, which is ideal for frying and sautéing your sides.

If you’re perfectly happy with your existing grill or smoker, the MEATER PRO ($139) is a wireless probe with five internal sensors, to communicate your food’s internal temperature to its companion app on a smartphone.

Range extends up to 250 feet indoors, or as much as 2,500 feet in open-air outdoors.

Ideal for grills and smokers, or for the indoors, too—like ovens, air fryers and deep fryers—this small ‘doohickey’ works with all cuts of meat (beef, lamb, chicken, and pork), as well as fish, so you know when it’s time to flip your food and when it’s ready to eat (based on your desired doneness), and supports high temp limits up to 1000°F.

For the horsey set

Your mount’s care and comfort continue with a non-invasive product, used to treat injuries, joint discomfort and sore muscles. InfraRed Relief is a lightweight design that allows for hassle-free use during stall rest or turnout. Tech has moved into equine hobbyist’s world as well. One such application, used by riders and trainers to treat injuries, joint discomfort and sore muscles in their equine friends is Red Light Therapy. Easy to use, lightweight wearable wraps emit infrared light at a wavelength of 660 – 850 nm for anti-inflammatory treatments and deep tissue healing as needed. 

For the past 30 years, Marc Saltzman has been a recognized expert in consumer electronics, business tech, and automotive trends. Marc is a keynote speaker across North America and hosts the weekly Tech It Out podcast. You can follow Marc on X @ marc_saltzman.