June 7 & 8, 2025 Show Notes
Oak Bay Tea Party / Brentwood Bay Festival / VicWest Fest / Sooke Community Day / Cook Street Village Block Party / Weekend Edition
🎙️ Show airs live
Saturday: 10:05am-Noon
🔁 Rebroadcast
Sunday: 1:05pm-3pm on C-FAX
🎧 Podcast
Anytime
Your crew this weekend:
Charles Martin
Co-host
Victoria Mac and iOS Users Group Program Director & AppleInsider.com Weekend News Editor
Phone +1-888-718-4598
Join Charles, Aitan, and me for the June Victoria Mac and iOS Users Group meeting, on Zoom, at 7pm this coming Wednesday, June 11. If you're not a member, attend as our guest, using this link…
1) Watch out for scam texts claiming to be from Purolator
The texts, as shown in this screenshot from "Tech Talk" listener Rick, claim they were unable to deliver your package due to an address issue, and urge you to click on a link.
For starters, the texts are coming from a phone number in Country Code 90 — which is Türkiye, and Purolator is a Canadian firm.
Also, how would Purolator know your mobile number?
The link they want you to tap on takes you to a fake (but real-looking) Purolator web-page hosted on a server in Armenia.
There, they advise you (using a different tracking number) that your package can't be delivered because of an unclear delivery address, and urge you to give then the correct address.
No matter what name and address and contact info you give them, you'll be told that you have to pay a 34-cent 'redelivery fee' and ask for your credit card info, as shown in the following screenshots…
If you supply your credit card info, within minutes, overseas scammers will use that info to make online purchases of items which they can easily sell online, until your credit limit is reached, or your credit card company freezes your account. NEVER click on links in texts or emails like this!
2) Watch out for scam Microsoft "We've updated our Terms of Service" emails
The emails, as shown in the screenshot from Lezlie, are labelled as coming from "M!crosoft" (note the ! in the spelling), but if you tap on that label, you'll see that they're actually coming from a gibberish @gmail.com address.
They encourage you to click/tap on an "Update Now" button to accept the updated Terms of Service in order to keep your mailkbox active and secure.
If you do, you'll be taken to a fake Microsoft outlook.com account log-in page, where the overseas scammers are hoping you give them your email address and password.
If you do, they'll advise you that to confirm it's you, they're going to email you a security code which you're instructed to type in.
In fact, what they'll do is use your email address and password to trigger a password reset code from Microsoft, and if you give them that code, they'll use it to lock you out of your own account, and then quickly change your account recovery info to their info, so you can't get back in.
They'll then proceed to trigger password reset emails for any other accounts they can find, so they can steal your money as well as your identity. NEVER click on links in emails like this.
Companies like Microsoft do periodically send out updated Terms of Service emails, as required by the law, but they do NOT require you to update your info.
3) The Klarna (formerly StoCard) app which stores your loyalty cards on your phone, is now requiring a six-digit security code
Klarna stores your loyalty cards, rec centre and attraction membership cards, library cards — any card that has a barcode in the Klarna Wallet in the bottom-right of the app. When you tap the card in Klarna Wallet, the screen goes to full brightness so it can be scanned and used, and then dims the screen as soon as you go away from the card…
If a card has your picture on it, like an IMAX card, you can take a picture of the card and add it to the Klarna Wallet, so you can show it if requested.
Klarna is free, but will regularly display offers.
- When it asks to send Notifications, tap on Do Not Allow.
- When offers appear, tap on Dismiss.
- When it asks to use your location, tap on Dismiss.
Klarna is available for free for both iPhones and Android phones.
But because Klarna can also be used to pay for purchases over time, the company is now requiring all users to choose a six-digit security code, which they'll ask you to re-enter periodically, or any time you use the app to make a purchase.
If you use a four-digit code to unlock your phone, we suggest you use the same four digits, foillowed by two zeros for your Klarna code.
Tech Deals This Weekend
Costco has Father's Day Weekend deals on cell phones
If you're a Costco member and in need of a smartphone upgrade, Costco has some appealing offers for Father's Day.
On top of discounted prices on at least two models of smartphones, buyers can also get Costco Shop cards when they sign up for a two-year service plan through Rogers or Bell.
For iPhone fans, the iPhone 16 (128GB) is available for $19/month through Rogers when customers agree to return the phone after two years, using the Save & Return program.
The deal includes a $150 Costco Shop Card and $299 in total savings.
iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals
Costco Father’s Day Cell Phone Deals are Here–with Bonus Gift Cards | iPhone in Canada
Costco is offering Father's Day phone deals through June 16, 2025, with low monthly pricing, bonus gift cards, and discounts on top devices from Rogers and Bell.
Bell customers can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) for $10/month with Bell’s SmartPay financing, and the deal likewise includes a $150 Costco Shop Card. The iPhone 16e (128GB) is available for $11.02/month with the same return option and Shop Card bonus.
All phones require activation with eligible two-year plans, and taxes are extra. These deals are available until June 16, 2025, at Costco’s in-warehouse wireless kiosks only. Bonus perks include free charging accessories and extra discounts for small business members.
There is also a deal on the new Motorola Razr 2025 flip phone, which is available for $10/month with Rogers financing. Buyers will also receive a $200 Costco Shop Card, but be aware that most flip-phones are limited to 4G/LTE speeds, and that technology will be phased out over the coming years just as 3G is being phased out now. We can't recommend flip phones for long-term use due to their limited useful lifespan.
There is also a deal on the new Motorola Razr 2025 flip phone, which is available for $10/month with Rogers financing. Buyers will also receive a $200 Costco Shop Card, but be aware that most flip-phones are limited to 4G/LTE speeds, and that technology will be phased out over the coming years just as 3G is being phased out now. We can't recommend flip phones for long-term use due to their limited useful lifespan.
The current iPad has seen its first price drop here in Canada
If you're looking for a new tablet for Dad (or anyone), Amazon.ca is taking $50 off all of the Wi-Fi model configurations.
The latest iPad was launched back in March, and is the 11th version of the popular tablet. The upgrades for this iPad include doubled base entry storage of 128GB, while RAM increases to 6GB. Sadly, this iPad does not support Apple Intelligence, as it uses last year's A16 processor.
The Wi-Fi normally starts at $500, but Amazon.ca is knocking $50 offer the price of each configuration — 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The sale applies only to the Wi-Fi model, not the Wi-Fi + Cellular versions.
Tech News Of The Week
Items start at #10, so the numbers don't get thrown-off if we add more security items above!
Tip: if an item in these Show Notes has the icon on the right in the upper-right corner, you can click/tap on it to make the additional info open in a new tab.
1) If you're using a smartphone that's more than seven years old, you'll soon find you can no longer use WhatsApp or YouTube
Meta — the owners of WhatsApp, and Google — the owners of YouTube, have both released updated versions of their apps which support higher-quality videos and audio, and in the case of WhatsApp, a higher number of call participants.
Because older phones don't have the technical oomph to handle the new features, they're being cut-off from using the apps.
Specifically, phones that can'trun either iOS 15.1 or Android 5.0 will be unable update to the new version of WhatsApp and are being cut-off. For YouTube, iOS/iPadOS 16 or later is now required.
That means no more WhatsApp on an iPhone 6S or earlier, and no more YouTube on an iPhone 7 or earlier, or on an iPad Air 2 and mini 4 or earlier.
If you have one of these old devices and use these apps, please replace it with a newer device before you get cut off!
2a) Updated: Heading to the USA? Temporarily deactivate any social media accounts where you've made posts critical of the Trump administration at least a day before you get to the border, or you could get turned away.
In light of numerous recent incidents in which Canadians have been denied entry to the USA, and some have been detained before being deported, Global Affairs Canada has updated its advice for Canadians going to the USA…
Travel.gc.ca on Twitter / X
We have updated sections of our travel advice for the #UnitedStates with information on screening at the border, carrying proof of status, and instructions on visa applications. Read our full advice here: https://t.co/fvcboq8f0a pic.twitter.com/nz33MpaRT3— Travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) April 4, 2025
Global Affairs Canada points out that individual US Homeland Security border agents have "significant discretion in making those determinations" and may "strictly enforce entry requirements". This includes denying entry to anyone whom an agent feels is a critic of the policies of the new Trump administration.
The updated Travel Advisory stresses that Canadians should expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including their electronic devices. US border agents can search them and don't need to provide a reason when requesting a password to open your device (laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc).
If you refuse, authorities may seize your device(s), or they may deem you inadmissable, and detain you until you're deported. Global Affairs Canada now suggests you put your device(s) in airplane mode to "ensure remote files don’t get downloaded accidentally". An example of that would be texts or emails from friends or family which are critical of the Trump administration.
As there have been some instances where US border guards have denied entry to Canadians who simply have apps on their phones such as left-leaning MSNBC, or the New York Times, some border security experts are suggesting that before you get to the border or head into airport screening, you make sure your phone is fully backed-up, and then delete any social media, Messaging, or news apps that might have content unsupportive of the Trump administration, and then reload them once you're in the USA and connected to Wi-Fi.
June update: you should also spend some time at least the day before heading to the border to temporarily deactivate any social media accounts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) where you've made posts that are critical of the Trump administration. This is because if your phone has no social media apps on it, CBP officers have recently started asking for your social media accounts, and checking online to see what you've been saying.
If you're planning to be in the USA for more than 30 days, you must pre-register with the US government and get an I-94. But, even if you have an I-94, you can still be denied entry, and if that happens at a land border, you could be detained for hours or days before being deported.
CBC
Canadians required to register with U.S. government if in country at least 30 days | CBC News
Beginning Friday, Canadians over the age of 14 who will be in the United States for 30 days or longer will have to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Trump administration says it's just enforcing laws that essentially have been on the books for decades.
As a result, immigration experts suggest those Canadians going for more than 30 days, instead of driving, fly into the US by plane from a major airport such as Vancouver, where you'll undergo US Immigration pre-clearance before boarding your flight. That way, if you're denied entry, you can just turn around and leave, because you're still in Canada.
2b) Heading to the USA by vehicle for more than 30 days? You now have to pay $6 USD to register before you get to the border
The new requirement is spelled-out in an Executive Order signed by US President Donald Trump, harshly entitled, "Protecting The American People Against Invasion" (linked below).
Since it was signed, US Homeland Security has exempted Canadians going to the USA for more than 30 days from the fingerprinting requirement that most others will be forced to submit to, but Canadians going into the USA by vehicle for more than a month do now still have to apply in advance for an I-94 permit, and carry proof of approval with them at all times while in the USA.
Applying for an I-94 costs $6 USD, and requires you to fill out an online form which includes questions around your past addresses, criminal record if any, and what you plan to do during your extended stay.
You must apply online for an I-94 within seven days of your intended date of driving into the USA, and no earlier, and paying the $6 USD fee is not a guarantee that you will be admitted.
The link to apply is below (click on the "Apply for new I-94" link on the website)…
2c) Heads-up if you want to take a dog into the USA: paperwork is now required
Dogs being taken into the USA by air, sea, or land now have to be at least six months old, be microchipped, appear healthy, have proof of having received a rabies vaccination within the past three years on or after being microchipped, and owners will have to fill out a new CDC Dog Import form, which includes a picture of the dog showing its face.
cbc.ca
Travelling to the United States with your dog? Here's what you need to know
The U.S. is implementing new rules for dogs entering the country on Aug. 1. All dogs entering the U.S. from Canada will need to be microchipped, at least six months old, and accompanied by a new import form, among other requirements.
3a) What to expect Apple to announce at their big WWDC keynote event on Monday morning
The 10am PDT Monday livestreamed keynote is where Apple will unvail its new operating systems for all its devices, and with them, a new naming convention, and the the most significant overhaul of its software interfaces in more than a decade.
Instead of upping the OS version numbers to 19, Apple is reportedly going to switch to year-based version numbers, with all the new OS's being designated 26 for 2026, which is the year when they'll get the most use after their expected fall release. It's not clear yet if Apple will do the same with new hardware models which won't be announced till the fall.
A new system-wide design called "Solarium" is expected to include rounded corners, layered transparency, and a more unified layout that draws inspiration from the look of visionOS.
In addition, three core apps: Phone, Safari, and Camera, are reportedly getting more substantial changes aimed at improving usability and streamlining functionality.
3b) HomePods and many older iPhone, iPad, and Mac models will still get the latest Apple OS updates
All HomePod models, Apple Watches going back to the Series 6, and iPhones up to seven years old will be able to update to the next set of new OS versions, expected to arrive this fall.
Although the next round of OS updates for Apple products are expected to bring new features and in some cases a new look, models from at least the last six years should be capable of upgrading, according to info seen by AppleInsider.com.
All models of HomePod will remain compatible with homeOS, while Apple Watches from up to four years ago will also get this year's update to watchOS 26, which was previously going to be called watchOS 11.
According to leakers, iOS 26 is expected to support all iPhones than can run the current iOS 18, so the iPhone XS and newer, including the 2nd-gen iPhone SE from 2020. It's believed that iPadOS 26 will run on the iPad mini 5 and newer, the iPad 8 and newer, the iPad Air 3rd-gen and newer, all 11" iPad Pro models, and the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9" model and later.
4) New lower Freedom home internet rates — and where in this area the service is (and is not) available
Quebec-based Freedom has, at least temporarily, lowered the prices of its home internet service (it buys internet access at wholesale rates from Telus and Rogers and resells it with less overhead).
The new rates bring down the cost of Internet 75 to $50 a month from $65 — a drop of $15/month.
Internet 250 is now $59/month, down from $85, and Gigabit Internet is now just $74/month, down from $105. These rates are about 25% cheaper than what Rogers and Telus are charging, and there's no contract with Freedom, it's month-to-month.
You do have to be a Freedom Mobile customer to be eligible for this service.
Freedom ships you a Hitron modem and an Eero Wi-Fi router, and you use a smartphone app to set it up. If you don't have a smartphone, this is not the service for you.
Freedom Home Internet service is currently available in much of Greater Victoria — in the Postal Codes shown here — with Gordon Head being the biggest exception area.
5) If you're having difficulties logging into Instagram on an iPhone or Android phone, you're not alone
Lots of people are reporting getting a two-factor authentication pop-up like the one in thie screenshot when opening their Instagram app.
When they've tried updating the app, they've discovered they already have the latest version.
If you restart your phone, you may find the problems solves itself.
If not, you can use a computer to log-into your account at Instagram.com, and then temporarily turn-off two-factor authentication, so you can log back in on your phone.
Once you've done that, we recommend you turn 2FA back on, becuase it's the best way to keep your account from being hacked!
Instagram will hopefully figure-out what's causing the error message soon, and get it fixed.
6) How to use the Cleanup tool in the Apple Photos app to remove objects and people for pictures
Last week, Ron demonstrated how great a job the Samsung Gallery Photo Editor on his Galaxy S25 Ultra does at removing objects and people from photos. I mentioned that this is a feature hopefully coming soon to iPhones — but I was incorrect — it's already available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, which have Apple Intelligence!
It's called Clean Up, and it's built into the Photos app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs that have Apple Intelligence and have it turned-on…
Unlike the Samsung version, Apple's Clean Up tool automatically highlights objects and people that it thinks you might want to remove. Tap on the one(s) you want gone, and they vanish. You can also rub your finger on other things you want removed, and it'll use AI to erase them...
AppleInsider.com has an excellent video showing how to use this new feature; it's item #40 below…
7) Disturbing photos show yet another Pixel 6a melting due to battery overheating
This is the latest in a series of Google A-series phones which have melted, and in some cases, caught fire, while being charged. To be fair, most of them have involved third-party chargers, as the phones no longer come with a Google-branded charging cube.
Pixel A-series phones are Google's mid-priced line, and have some great specs at good prices.
There have not been enough of these meltdowns for Google to do a recall, but there have been several of them, so if you have a Pixel A-series, best to not leave it charging overnight on anything flammable.
8) Crave has increased the price of its Basic plan by $2/month to $12/month ahead of the launch of a free ad-supported plan
The Basic streaming plan from Bell-owned Crave now costs $12/month or $120/year, which is up from $10/month or $100/year.
With this new pricing, Crave Basic includes two streams simultaneously, up to 1080p video quality and has some ads. Before the increase, you could only stream in one place and up to 720p video quality. Offline downloads and live channels are still not available with this plan.
Crave also offers Crave Premium for $22 per month and Crave Standard for $15/month; the prices of these plans haven’t increased in the new shift.
Later this year, Crave says it'll start offering a free plan that will include more ads, but also access to a lot more content…
Endlessly Entertaining. Bell Media Expands Crave to Offer More Leading Content in One Powerful Service - Bell Media
Endlessly Entertaining. Bell Media Expands Crave to Offer More Leading Content in One Powerful Service - Bell Media
Key Tags: @TheLede_CA, @Crave_PR, @CraveCanada TORONTO (June 5, 2025) – Bell Media, Canada’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced a game-changing evolution of its flagship streaming service, Crave. Slated to launch by the end of 2025, the newly enhanced Crave platform is set to offer unprecedented access to Bell Media’s vast library of English...
9) Rogers makes "5G Advanced" available in Canada
Rogers is upgrading its wireless network with new technology from Ericsson, becoming the first company in Canada to launch what’s called 5G Advanced.
This upgraded version of 5G is designed to make wireless connections faster, more efficient, and better suited for devices like smartwatches and smart sensors. One big improvement is a feature called RedCap (short for Reduced Capability), which helps smaller devices use less power and stay connected more reliably."
For example, a smartwatch using RedCap technology could last longer on a single charge and stay connected to the network without needing as much bandwidth. The same goes for things like security cameras or health monitoring sensors that don’t need full-speed 5G but still require stable connections.
iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals
Rogers Turns on 5G Advanced in Canada—What It Means for You | iPhone in Canada
Rogers is the first in Canada to launch 5G Advanced with Ericsson, boosting network efficiency, battery life for wearables, and support for smart devices. Here's what it means.
10) We've found a great all-in-one wireless and cordless pocket battery pack for use here or while travelling around the world
There are a tonne of pocket battery packs on the market, but almost all of them have one or more drawbacks: they require you to bring cables to use them and/or charge them, or they're low power and/or slow to charge your phone, or they won't work overseas.
Well, we've finally found one that has none of those drawbacks…
It's called the Dashed TravelPod, and it has a 10,000 MAh battery, enough for several charges of a phone, or 1.5 charges of a tablet. It has built-in cables for high-speed charging via USB-C or Lightning, plus USB and USB-C jacks so you can charge two devices at once, as well as high-speed wireless charging. It has a fold-out AC plug to recharge it, comes with snap-on adaptors for use around the world, and has a digital display showing in percent how much charge you have left.
No stores here carry it, but you can buy a Dashed TravelPod in black or white on Amazon for $130…
Amazon.ca
Travelpod 5-in-1 Portable Travel Charger Power Bank | 10,000mAh Power Bank with Global Adapters Included | Wireless Charging, Built-in Lightning & USB-C Charging Cable | Foldable AC Plug
Travelpod 5-in-1 Portable Travel Charger Power Bank | 10,000mAh Power Bank with Global Adapters Included | Wireless Charging, Built-in Lightning & USB-C Charging Cable | Foldable AC Plug : Amazon.ca: Electronics
WE'll be taking two of these with us to Europe this summer!
If you're willing to pack your own charging cable(s), there's a much-cheaper competitor brand, which also gets good reviews: the 6700MAh MetaTronics Omni Charger 4in1 Travel Charger, which is $65…
Amazon.ca
MetaTronics Omni Charger 4in1 Travel Charger Power Bank with Global Adapter Kit | 4in1 Powerbank Features Wall Charging, Wireless Charging, 6700mah Portable Battery, and 4 Travel Adapters
MetaTronics Omni Charger 4in1 Travel Charger Power Bank with Global Adapter Kit | 4in1 Powerbank Features Wall Charging, Wireless Charging, 6700mah Portable Battery, and 4 Travel Adapters : Amazon.ca: Electronics
13) We've also started compiling a list of our favourite phone apps
The "Our Favourite Apps" list — which will have a lot more added in the coming weeks — is on our home page, and you can also get to it by going to Tech-Talk.ca/apps.
14) TikTok dodges USA ban — again — as Trump administration plans to extend the deadline for a third time
In a move that has almost become tradition, sources say the Trump administration is planning to once again hit 'pause' on enforcement of the legislated TikTok ban, leaving the app's fate mired in uncertainty. The ban is currently set to expire on the 19th.
…and finally, our "Sign Of The Week"…
something different this week: a travel-themed set of six Rebus puzzles posted above the hot-tub at the Crystal Pool. See if you can figure-out the six common phrases!
(Answers will be posted here next week)
And so it goes…