Category: product endorsements

Geoship Geodesic Dome Homes

On By Rick McIn climate change, economics, ethics, good news, product endorsements, things getting betterLeave a comment

I’ve been following the tiny-house movement for years.

… an architectural and social movement promoting the reduction and simplification of living spaces.

Tiny homes have been promoted as offering lower-cost and sometimes eco-friendly features within the housing market, and they have also been promoted a housing option for homeless individuals. …

Read their FAQs.

Delivery starts sometime in 2026 in California. The first ones will not be off-grid ready, but that’s planned for the future.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

my iPhone 16 Pro

On By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Quality is much better than my last phone, the 13 Mini.

Image generated by Ideogram.AI

In fact, I find the 16 Pro better at both photos and video than my current action camera.

It’s my primary camera now.

5x optical zoom is almost enough for my purposes. 😀

I’m Taking Creatine

On By Rick McIn health & fitness, product endorsementsLeave a comment

In the 1990s at University of Saskatchewan, we made creatine available to all the top gymnasts.

For decades it had been used as a legal supplement for strength enhancement in sport.

According to a 2018 review article in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition creatine monohydrate is the most effective nutritional supplement to increase high intensity exercise capacity and muscle mass during training. …

A 2014 survey of 21,000 college athletes showed that 14% of athletes take creatine supplements.[49]

I felt use had fallen off in recent years. But when Garth and Michele mentioned the product for seniors, I took a new look.

Creatine monohydrate, once a supplement marketed to bodybuilders and athletes, has now become popular with aging Americans.

Why it matters: It’s another tool longevity experts say can help people live stronger for longer — both in body and mind. …

It’s specifically a hot topic for women in perimenopause and menopause. …

Brains get a boost on creatine, too, research suggests. The supplement has been linked to improved memory, brain health, depression treatment and increased energy. …

What we’re watching: Creatine research focused on Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment.

AXIOS – Longevity’s new muscle: Creatine (2025)

Sounds like negative side effects are few or none.

Good enough for me. I ordered some creatine gummies, to start.

I do muscular strength and endurance training already every day. Perhaps this will help me live to age-100. 😀

I’ll be taking 2-4 of these gummies / day. Four gummies takes me up to 5000mg / day.

My MacBook Air M4 Laptop in 2025

On By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsementsLeave a comment

When Apple launched the M4 Air, they offered a crazy high trade-in bonus to jumpstart sales.

I got CAD $780 for my 2021 MacBook Pro. Used that towards the CAD $1400 NEW M4 Air.

I need 16GB unified memory for VIDEO editing. That’s the minimum available on the M4.

Got the minimum 256GB SSD storage as I put my BIG files on external SSD drives.

I don’t use the standard Apple charging brick. Instead I use a UGREEN Nexode 100W USB C Charger.

For the missing ports, I always carry the UGREEN USB C Hub.

Reviews are all good.

That said — if you don’t edit VIDEO on your laptop, I’d recommend buying the least expensive M1 MacBook Air you can find refurbished. Don’t pay more than CAD $300.

Click PLAY or watch unboxing and set-up of the new M4 Air on YouTube.

My AURA Smart Bike Helmet by UNIT 1

On By Rick McIn cycling, health & fitness, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Overall, I’m very happy with my Aura Helmet — and would recommend it to one and all.

Right now it’s probably the best smart helmet available.

The system is expensive, however. I paid USD $300 for the entire system. You might be able to buy the helmet alone for about $220.

I bought it on Kickstarter. (And might not use Kickstarter in future.)

My delivery was delayed by several months.

Click PLAY or watch my 3 month review on YouTube.

I used an A.I. voice over on that edit.

A helmet once saved me on a crash in New Zealand. I plan to wear this helmet more often into the future.

I’ll try not to lose it. 😀

IF you ride an electric bike, having the SAFEST possible helmet is even more critical.

  • MIPS certified (Multi-directional Impact Protection System)
  • Helmet with integrated lights front and back
  • Magnetic smart lights that can be mounted anywhere
  • Handlebar navigation remote control
  • Smart phone app

I really like the quick magnetic attachment of 3 alternate visors. Wearing glasses full-time, very few other types of visors or cycling sunglasses fit.

BUT …

The process for pairing all the devices with Bluetooth is confusing. What’s on their various help videos is not what happened when I paired.

In addition, my first remote was faulty. Support was prompt. And they eventually shipped me a replacement.

The biggest complaint online is that the ON / OFF button is difficult. Personally, I like the fact that the helmet will not accidentally be turned on. I’m OK with the stiff button.

Click PLAY or watch an independent review on YouTube.

Here’s the company pitch.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s one review of the top 4 smart helmets, as of the date of this post.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

LOVE the Toftbo IKEA Bath Mat

On By Rick McIn product endorsementsLeave a comment

If you suffer with 1st World Problems, you MIGHT struggle with finding the perfect bath mat.

After 3 failed purchases at thrift stores, I finally researched and bought the Toftbo IKEA Bath Mat on Amazon.

  • machine washable
  • quick dry

We’re not using any underlay. It doesn’t seem to slip on our bathroom floor.

Our Power Lift Stand-up Recliner Chair

On By Rick McIn McCharles family, product endorsementsLeave a comment

We are happy with the model we bought in 2025 ➙ Pride Mobility’s VivaLift Tranquil Power Recliner.

  • durable
  • remote control with cable (so you don’t lose the remote 😀)
  • adjustable shoulder and neck support
  • adjustable lumbar position
  • goes flat with no chance of tipping over
  • USB charger port in the remote to charge your smart device from your chair

Image below shows how it can stand you UP from the chair.

Dad testing it out.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

AND … here’s the OLD chair. 😀 Come pick it up!

Future of Desalinization

On By Rick McIn clean water, climate change, economics, food, good news, government, product endorsements, things getting betterLeave a comment

For countries where water is plentiful (Canada) and industries where water is a huge fraction of costs, desalination is probably not viable for industry.

BUT for countries where water is already scarce, or for industries that don’t depend mainly on water, bringing desalinated water is completely plausible. Prices continue to drop.

I recall having a hot shower in Saudi Arabia. Great water pressure. … Wondering where the H2O was coming from.

Desalinization plants hundreds of miles distant.

TOMAS PUEYO posted a deep dive.

Does Desalination Promise a Future of Infinite Water?

My Future Tiny Home

On By Rick McIn economics, product endorsementsLeave a comment

There’s a good chance I’ll — someday — settle down in an inexpensive, minimalist home.

Ideally, it will be easily mobile ➙ like the Jupe. ($25,000)

VERY inexpensive is the CAMZLE tent. There are plenty of competitors for livable tents.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Brainstorming.

Driverless trucks SOON in Texas

On By Rick McIn product endorsements, robots, things getting betterLeave a comment

In 2024 we are hearing much about driverless taxis.

BUT the much bigger market — and easier logistics — is long distance trucking.

As I post in October 2024, drivers are still aboard driverless Aurora Innovation trucks (for safety) but they should be hauling freight on Interstate 45 between the Dallas and Houston without human oversight SOON.

IF we had dedicated lanes for driverless trucks, no problem. But the software must anticipated every possible unexpected collision.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s a cool video looking at an Autonomous Truck Terminal in 2024. There are PLENTY of humans working behind the scenes.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.