June 14 & 15, 2025 Show Notes
Father's Day Weekend Edition
Mabuhay! Festival / Point Hope Shipyard Open House / Heritage Acres Summer Fair / FernwoodFest
🎙️ Show airs live
Saturday: 10:05am-Noon
🔁 Rebroadcast
Sunday: 1:05pm-3pm on C-FAX
🎧 Podcast
Anytime
Your crew this weekend:
Kyle Wilson
Colwood-based IT Specialist, Wikipedia Administrator, and a Business Insider contributor
X & BlueSky: @KWilsonMG
1) Watch out for new (fake) Government of Canada texts and emails
The texts and emails claim you've been sent a one-time Workers Benefit payment from the Government of Canada, and encourage you to use your bank or Canada Revenue Agency account to collect it.
Clicking or tapping on the link takes you to a fake Government of Canada website (as shown in the screenshot), this one hosted at cgcra.com — which is registered to a guy in Machester, Connecticut.
If you click/tap on the Continue button, it takes you to a fake CRA page that gives you identical choices as the real CRA sign-in page, and when you click on your financial institution, it takes you to a fake log-in page for that bank or credit union…
The scammers are hoping you'll give them your log-in info for your financial institution, and if you have two-factor authentication turned-on, they're hoping you use the same email address and password for your email account as you do for your bank, so they can steal your identity as well as your money. NEVER click on links in texts or emails like this!
If you're getting money from the Government or from the CRA, it'll either be direct-deposited into your bank account, or you'll get a cheque in the mail.
2) Watch out for scam work-from-home job recruiting texts
The texts come from a variety of senders, such as "Monica from TOP" as shown in the screenshot from Tech Talk listener Peter, and offer flexible part-time work from home, assisting Temu merchants with product reviews, and claims you can earn commissions ranging from $200 USD to $3000 USD per day, with the money paid to you each day.
If you're interested, you're encouraged to send a text message to a number in the USA.
There are three potential scams here:
1) You'll be encouraged to complete an online application form, which they'll review, and then within a day, you'll be 'approved', but in order to be hired, you'll have to pay an up-front 'processing fee', and if you do, you'll never hear from them again.
2) You'll fill out a simple application and quickly will be 'hired', and will get paid for your training. But, in order to get your money, they'll set-up a crypto-currency account for you. They'll deposit your 'pay', but then advise that you have to keep a minimum amount in the account to keep it active, and they'll ask you to deposit money to reach that minimum. If you do, they'll scoop that money and close the account and you'll never hear from them again.
3) You'll be asked to download an employment application, but if you do, you'll actually be downloading malware which harnesses the power of your computer (if it's powerful enough), for crypto-mining.
NEVER respond to job-recruitment texts like this! They're all scams.
3) Be wary of websites or (fake) news stories claiming a small plug-in device can dramatically reduce your power bill
You've likey had an ad or a supposed news story like the screenshot above show up on your computer, tablet, or phone. It claims you can slash your energy bill by up to 40% just by plugging this gadget into an outlet. It's a total scam.
While the gadget has an LED light to make you think its working, in fact, it does nothing at all.
The ESaver Watt scam employs a range of misleading strategies to lure consumers:
- Fabricated Lab Results and Customer Reviews: The product’s website showcases supposed laboratory tests and glowing testimonials, all of which are fabricated to build credibility.
- Social Media Advertising: Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are flooded with ads and videos demonstrating dramatic reductions in electricity bills after using ESaver Watt. These are staged and misleading.
- Fake Celebrity Endorsements: The device is falsely associated with tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Cuban, suggesting their endorsement to gain trust.
- Bogus News Reports: Fake articles on spoofed news websites claim that ESaver Watt has been featured on reputable media outlets, further deceiving potential buyers.
5) Westjet is dealing with a cyber-security incident that is making some online systems unavailable
WestJet is alerting its employees and the public about a "cybersecurity incident" involving the Calgary-based airline's internal systems and app.
The airline says several people trying to access its services have faced "restricted access" as a result of the incident, and says they're "expediting efforts" to keep its operations safe and "safeguard sensitive data and personal information," and apologizes for any disruption to access to its services.
6) Meta is suing the makers of the unfortunately popular "Crush AI" 'nudify' app
Meta has sued the maker of a popular AI “nudify” app, Crush AI, that reportedly ran thousands of ads across Meta’s platforms. In addition to the lawsuit, Meta says it’s taking new measures to crack down on other apps like Crush AI.
In a lawsuit filed in Hong Kong, Meta alleges that Joy Timeline HK, the entity behind Crush AI, attempted to circumvent the company’s review process to distribute ads for AI nudify services. Meta says it repeatedly removed ads by the entity for violating its policies but claims Joy Timeline HK continued to place additional ads anyway.
Crush AI, which uses generative AI to make fake, sexually explicit images of real people without their consent, reportedly ran more than 8,000 ads for its “AI undresser” services on Meta’s platform in the first two weeks of 2025. Crush AI’s websites received roughly 90% of their traffic from either Facebook or Instagram.
Crush AI reportedly evaded Meta’s ad review processes by setting up dozens of advertiser accounts and frequently changed domain names. Many of Crush AI’s advertiser accounts were named “Eraser Annyone’s Clothes” followed by different numbers. At one point, Crush AI even had a Facebook page promoting its service.
Meta says it has developed new technology to specifically identify ads for AI nudify or undressing services “even when the ads themselves don’t include nudity.” The company says it's now using matching technology to help find and remove copycat ads more quickly, and has expanded the list of terms, phrases, and emoji that are flagged by its systems.
7) Malwarebytes named 2025 Product Of The Year by AVLab.
We're big fans of Malwarebytes Premium anti-malware, because it's superb at keeping malware out of computers, and is easy to use, with no noticable impact on performance.
It turns out we're not the only ones who feel that way…
Noted independent antivirus and malware product testers AVLab Cybersecurity Foundation in Poland have named Malwarebytes Premium a 2025 Product Of The Year…
Tech Deals This Weekend
LG 50' 4K HDR UHDTV: 50% off — $400 — at London Drugs
London Drugs is offering a superb Father's Day weekend deal on LG's 50" nanoCell 4K HDR UHDTV: model 50NANO75UQA is on sale for just $400!
It was originally $800, and had been on sale for $749, but because they'e overstocked, this model is being sold this weekend — in-store and online — for just $400…
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 11th-gen 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.
Amazon.ca
Apple iPad with A16 chip: 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, 128 GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue
Apple iPad with A16 chip: 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, 128 GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue : Amazon.ca
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.
11) Apple has unveiled it's new operating systems, which will all have a new unified "Liquid Glass" appearance, and a new number, '26'
In what is Apple's biggest design change in more than a decade, all the new operating systems will share a more transparent appearance, called "Liquid Glass", but you'll be able to choose from among several options as to how little or how much transparency you want.
12) Apple's new '26' operating systems will bring live translation and many other useful new features to iPhones, iPads and Macs this fall
The most-popular new feature coming this fall to iPhones, iPads, and Mac's will likely be live translation of text messages, phone calls, and FaceTIme calls.
Catching-up with Android, Messages gets changable backgrounds and built-in poll options, while Apple Intelligence will let you hold your finger on an object in a picture, and instantly get info on what that object is, and, if possible, where to buy it.
12a) iOS 26 for iPhones…
In addition to the main new features in iOS 26, Tech Crunch has compiled a great list of some overlooked but sure-to-be-popular new features coming this fall, including customized alarm snooze times, new volume sliders, call list filters, additional battery charging info, folders for music playlists, and if your camera lens is dirty, iOS 26 will nudge you to clean it…
With iOS 26, Apple is also adding support for transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android device, and vice versa. The new functionality will make it easier for smartphone users to move their numbers between platforms, alleviating the need to contact a carrier for help with a transition between iPhone and Android.
iOS 26 will be available this fall as a free upgrade to all iPhones going back to iPhone 11 models which were released in September 2019, so six years ago. This means iPhone XS and XR models will no longer be supported.
Here's a MegaGuide from MacRumours of all the new features in Apple's iOS 26 coming this fall…
12b) iPadOS 26 for iPads…
iPads will gain the ability for you to quickly resize app windows and snap them to various locations on the screen, plus the ability to put Folders into the Dock. The Journal app will also become available on iPads, along with a new Preview app for PDF's. See moree about what's new in iPadOS 26 here…
iPadOS 26 will be available this fall as a free upgrade to all iPads going back to the 7th-generation model released in September 2019, so six years ago. This means iPad 6th-gen models will no longer be supported, and neither will iPad Air 2nd-gen models.
12c) macOS 26 Tahoe for Macs…
In addition to the new features mentioned above, Mac computers and MacBooks get a Phone app giving the ability to make and answer phone calls and do other things that only an iPhone can do, plus Live Activities to instantly get updates on flights, food orders and other important things happening in your life, and more powerful shortcuts. Learn more about what's new in macOS 26 Tahoe here…
This will be the last macOS upgrade which will be available for some Intel-powered Macs. MacOS 26 Tahoe will be available this fall as a free upgrade for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models made in 2020 and later, iMac 2020 and later models, Mac mini 2020 and later models, and Mac Pro 2019 and later models, and Mac Studio 2022 and later models.
12d) watchOS 26 for Apple Watch models…
If you have an Apple Watch, with watchOS 26, you'll be able to dismiss notifications with a flick of your wrist, plus you'll get a Workout Buddy that delivers personalized, audible motivation using your fitness history. Learn more aboiut the new features in watchOS 26 here…
watchOS 26 will be available this fall as a free upgrade for Apple Watch series 6 models and later.
12e) Apple to let iPhone users watch videos on CarPlay screens — but only while parked
With iOS 26, iPhone users will be able to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen using AirPlay.
For safety reasons, video playback will only be available when the vehicle is parked, to prevent distracted driving. The connected iPhone will be able to detect when the vehicle is in motion and end playback.
Apple says that automakers need to add support for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it will likely take some time to roll out.
13a) Freedom Mobile has a $3/month discount on its BYOP plans, but 106-country 'Roam Beyond' service now starts at $46/month
Good news and bad news if you're heading overseas: Quebec-based Freedom Mobile is offering a $3/month discount if you switch to them, which is the good news, but the bad news is that they've dropped 106-country 'Roam Beyond" calling from their $39/month plan.
If you want to travel beyond Canada, USA, and Mexico — which are included in all of Freedom's plans — you now have to go on either their $46/month plan or their $56/month plan. The cheaper one gives you 80GB/month in Canada/USA/Mexico plus 15GB for use in 100+ other countries in addition to unlimited calling within the country you're in and back to Canada. The more-expensive plan includes 100GB in Canada/USA/Mexico plus 25GB when travelling overseas.
13b) Telus is offering an Easy Roam Travel Pass for Europe
The only other carrier which offers international roaming plans is Telus; they offer a 14-day, or 30-day Easy Roam Travel Pass, which is good across Europe…
A Telus Easy Roam Travel Pass will work in Aland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Wales.
15) Anker recalling PowerCore powerbanks because of fire hazard
Anker make some superb rechargable portable powerbanks for recharging phones, tablets and other portable electronics when you're not near a power outlet.
But, they're recalling more than one million of their most-popular models because of a significant fire hazard resulting from potentially defective lithium-ion batteries — the 10,000 mAh PowerCore A1263 model, which was made between June 2016 and December 2022...
So far, Anker has received 19 reports of not just fires, but also explosions, which have resulted in burns and significant property damage.
If you have one of this model, you're urged to stop using it immediately, and to contact Anker to either have it replaced, or to claim a $30 USD gift card. You can do that, here…
More info on the recall is here…
Anker
Anker Innovations Recalls Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank (Model: A1263) - Anker US - Anker
We have identified that certain Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks (Model: A1263) manufactured between January 1st, 2016, and October 30th, 2019, which were sold between June 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2022, only in the United States may pose a fire safety risk due to a potential issue with the lithium-ion battery. This issue can cause the battery to overheat, leading to melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.
16) Internet speeds up to 2Gbps now available from Rogers on Pender, Mayne, and Galiano Islands
Rogers has spent $10 million to install an undersea fibre-optic internet cable from Vancouver Island to the southern Gulf Islands. As a result, residents of Pender, Mayne, and Galiano, who were previously limited to internet speeds of just 25Mbps, can now enjoy speeds up to 80 times faster — up to 2Gbps.
Rogers says this underwater build required specialized materials and work, sinking almost eight kilometres of submersible cable off a vessel which was then laid by divers along the ocean floor, without impacting the local environment. With cable links now permanently corded to the ocean floor, impacts to service from changing weather conditions is greatly reduced.
About Rogers
Rogers Brings Canada’s Most Reliable Internet to Southern Gulf Islands - About Rogers
Rogers Xfinity will deliver faster speeds and enhanced reliability to customers with under-sea fibre Rogers is enhancing internet service to 3,000 homes and businesses on Pender, Mayne and Galiano Islands through an innovative $10 million investment using an under-sea fibre line to connect the Southern Gulf Islands to mainland British […]
17) DoorDash being sued by Canadian Competition Bureau, accused of deceptive marketing
The Competition Bureau is suing the online food delivery company DoorDash and its Canadian subsidiary for allegedly misleading consumers by advertising its services at a lower price than what customers actually end up paying.
A CCB investigation found that consumers were unable to purchase food and other items at the advertised price on DoorDash's websites and mobile apps due to the addition of mandatory fees (which it claims are 'taxes') at checkout — a practice commonly known as drip-pricing.
The Competition Bureau is asking the Competition Tribunal to order DoorDash to pay a penalty and to compensate affected customers, in addition to ending what it refers to as "deceptive" price and discount advertising and the portrayal of fees as taxes.
DoorDash insists it does not hide fees from consumers or mislead them in any way, and calls the Bureau's application a misguided and excessive attempt to target one of Canada's leading local commerce platforms. DoorDash says it's is being unfairly singled-out, and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.
CBC
Competition Bureau sues food delivery company DoorDash, alleging misleading price promotions | CBC News
The Competition Bureau says it is suing the online food delivery company DoorDash and its Canadian subsidiary for allegedly misleading consumers by advertising its services at a lower price than what customers actually end up paying.
18) 23andMe co-founder wins bankruptcy auction for genetic data
The co-founder of bankrupt genetic analysis company 23andMe has won an auction for the firm’s assets, agreeing, along with a California research institute, to pay $305 million USD for a cache of customer DNA data.
Anne Wojcicki and nonprofit TTAM Research Institute offered nearly $50 million more than the last bid from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which was named as the backup bidder. Should Wojcicki and TTAM fail to close the sale, which must be approved by a federal judge, Regeneron would get the assets instead.
Wojcicki, the company’s former chief executive officer, and TTAM, agreed to new limits on the use of the sensitive customer data, which includes details on the ancestry, genetic traits and health risks of as many as 15 million people who had mailed in saliva samples to 23andMe.
19) Apple has launched a free repair program for Mac mini models with the M2 chip which no longer power on.
Apple has quietly launched a repair program for Mac mini models with the M2 chip, after it determined that a "very small percentage" of these computers may no longer power on. No other Mac mini models are part of this program.
If your Mac mini has exhibited this issue, you can enter its serial number on Apple's website (see link below) to see if it is eligible for this program. If it is, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will provide service, free of charge.
Mac mini models with the M2 chip were first released in 2023, but Apple says that affected units were manufactured between June 16 and November 23 of 2024.
21) 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.
22) The one billionth repository on GitHub has been created — and it has a memorable name that we can't say
GitHub is a cloud-based platform where software developers can share code, so others can improve on it, and modify it, while keeping track of the changes.
On June 11, a GitHub contributor named Aasish Pokhrel created the one-billionth entry…
23) Google is offering some employees "who don’t feel aligned with our strategy" buyouts
Google is offering to buy out employees in some divisions, including Search but excluding DeepMind, Cloud, and YouTube, if they feel unaligned with their strategy, according to emails reviewed by media outlets. The Associated Press has reported that this is due to uncertainty amid AI and a looming ruling in an anti-trust case brought against the company.
AP News
Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty
Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire.
Homework videos (a.k.a. "time well wasted"!)
Check out our YouTube Favourites playlist, which has more than 4800 videos:
Videos start at #40, so the numbers don't get thrown-off if we add more tech news items above!
40) Watch Apple's full WWDC "Liiquid Glass" keynote…
…or watch the highlights condensed by The Verge down to 10 minutes…
…or watch the full segment on iOS 26 for iPhones…
41) If you have an iPhone, watch the world's first haptic movie trailer, which will use your iPhone's vibration to make the video come alive in your hands…
42) Watch a new video by Tom Scott — which will vanish on June 19…
43) Watch a ride on the world's first cliffside train, a 13km ride at an altitude of 1200m up on the side of Dajue Mountain, in China's Jiangxi Province…
44) Watch what it might've been like if Moses had an iPhone…
45) Watch how AI can make Donald Trump convincingly announce that he's making California "Canada's 11th province"…
46) Watch Choir! Choir! Choir! host an impromptu tribute to Brian Wilson by leading a singalong of "God Only Knows"…
47) Watch Art Garfunkel pay tribute to Brian Wilson at the Kennedy Centre Honours in 2007…
48) Watch James from the popular YouTube channel theodd1sout detail a common pain felt with suggested spelling corrections…
00:37
YouTube
Refrenced
#shorts #animation #cartoon #funny #comedy #google Emilee Dummer ➤ https://www.instagram.com/edummerart/ Kelly Jensen ➤ https://www.instagram.com/kelly_anne_art/ Claire Anne ➤ https://www.instagram.com/claireanneillustration Amelia Rosenbalm ➤ https://www.instagram.com/galloame/ Rikikuniyuki_art ➤ https://www.instagram.com/rikikuniyuki_art/
49) Watch Cleo Abram look into what it takes to build a realistic Lightsaber from Star Wars….
50) Watch the YouTube channel fern address why exactly the German language sounds so aggressive…
…and finally, our "Sign Of The Week"…
And so it goes…