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Christmas / Boxing Day / Kwanzaa Long Weekend Edition
December 23 & 24, 2023 Tech Talk Show Notes
đŸŽ™ïž Show airs live
Saturday: 10:05am-Noon
🔁 Rebroadcast
Sunday: 1:05pm-3pm
🎧 Podcast
Anytime
The crew this week:
Alan Perry
Host
Technology Tutor
iPhone 250-589-2926
Ron Fraser
Guest Co-Host
Retired Sidney Tech Enthusiast
Phone 250-415-6763
Brian Pavlicic 
Producer
Technology Tutor
iPhone 250-634-8986
Front row: Suzanne Perry, Emma Leo, Lena Schneider, and Tofi Harrouk
Back row: Alan Perry, Milo, Brian and Juna Pavlicic, and Ron Fraser
and joining us via Skype-to-Phone from Pfaffenhofen, Germany were Emma's family: Viktoria, Elisabeth, Vincent and Markus Leo
Our 2023 Christmas Tech Gift Ideas are here.
Boxing week sales:
This year, many stores are launching their Boxing Week prices at 3pm or 6pm on Christmas Eve, even though the physical stores themselves won't re-open till Boxing Day.
To avoid items you want being sold-out when stores re-open on Boxing Day, you may want to buy your items online on Christmas Eve night or Christmas Day, either for pickup in store during Boxing Week, or for delivery.
Our earlier Show Notes are here
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Security and Privacy News
1) iOS 17.2.1 has been released

This is not the update we told you about last week!
If you have an iPhone made within the past six years, Apple has rushed-out another important update — iOS 17.2.1 — which fixes several bugs that were included in last week's 17.2 update, and also includes unspecified performance improvements. For an incremental update with no security patches, it's surprisingly large — more than 1GB for most people, so expect it to take about 10 minutes. To get this Update, go to Settings> General> Software Update.
2) Another important update released for older iPhones and iPads

This is not the update we told you about last week!
If you have an iPhone or an iPad that 's too old to run iOS/iPadOS 17, because of the problems which 17.2 caused, Apple has released a special 16.7.4 update to fix those bugs. More here. To get this Update, go to Settings> General> Software Update. If your device is too old to run this 16.7.4 update, we strongly urge you to replace it with a newer device, because you are really leaving yourself vulnerable!
3) If you have a Mac, Apple has released MacOS 14.2.1

This is not the update we told you about last week!
Apple has released an important update for Macs running Sonoma — MacOS 14.2.1. It includes fixes for bugs introduced with 14.2 last week, as well as performance improvements. More here.
4) Watch out for scam texts (and emails) claiming to be from Canada Post or courier companies
The scam texts (and emails) advise that they need you to do something before they can deliver a package to you, as shown on the screenshot on the left sent by listener Pat.
They're all scams.
They have three things in common: they never mention your name or delivery address, they never say who the sender of the package is, and they never say where its coming from.
The link they want you to click on takes you to a fake courier log-in page where they'll ask you to give them your credit card info to pay a delivery fee or a fuel surcharge.
If you give them that info, within minutes, they'll use you credit card to order a whack of stuff and you'll end up having to cancel your card.
NEVER click on links in texts or emails like this!
5) 'Tis the season for scam texts (and emails) claiming to be from CRA
Watch out for texts claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency with a refund link, as shown in the screenshot on the left below, submitted by astute Tech Talk listener Peter

The link highlighted with orange and yellow arrows takes you to a fake Interac website which has links to fake log-in pages for all the major Canadian banks and credit unions. If you type in your account number and password, they'll proceed to drain your account. NEVER click on links in texts or emails like this!
6) If you own an iPhone, here's why you should NEVER tell your passcode to someone

A man this week asked one of my clients if he could use his phone to make a call. Ken agreed, and handed his iPhone to the man. Because it was locked, the man asked for his passcode. Ken gave it to him, and the man promptly took off running with the iPhone, and within minutes, used the passcode to reset Ken's Apple ID password and turn off Find My iPhone. Fortuntately, all of Ken's passwords are protected by Face ID, but he's still lost his iPhone 12 Pro. More here. NEVER tell your passcode to a stranger, and if you're going to let a stranger use your phone to make a call, hold onto the phone — don't hand it to them, unless you think you could catch them if they bolt.
7) Download my document detailing how to report phishing emails:

PDF file

How To Report Phishing Emails.pdf

182.9 KB

🎄 Tech News of the Week 🎄
10) 🕯 Interactive Christmas Lights maps are now available
This year, we have three interactive maps for you to use, to guide you to the myriad superb displays of Christmas Lights throughout Greater Victoria. All three will be updated throughout the holidays.
The Christmas Lights map by our colleagues down the hall at 107.3 Virgin Radio Victoria is here.
The Times-Colonist Christmas Lights map is here.
And the Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights map is here.
11) Budget mobile provider Fizz is now up and running in Victoria, and offering 90% off for the first six months.
In an unexpected move, Fizz, the budget brand of Quebec-based Videotron, has launched service in Victoria and Abbotsford, following its entry into the Vancouver market a couple months ago. To attract clients, Fizz is offering 90% off (not a typo!) its already-low rates for the first six months

  • $2.60/month for unlimited calls and messaging but no data (normally $26)
  • $2.90/month for 2GB (was $29)
  • $3.20/month for 5GB (was $32)
  • $3.30/month for 7GB (was $33)
  • $3.40/month for 15GB (new)
  • $3.90/month for 30GB (new)
  • $4.00/month for 40GB (was $40)
  • $4.40/month for 50GB (was $50)
Fizz runs on the network of its parent company, Freedom Mobile. But — and this is a big "but" — unlike Freedom Mobile customers who get to seamlessly roam at no charge onto the Rogers network until Freedom builds its own 5G network here, Fizz customers are limited to the Freedom network, which has spotty coverage and is only available in urban areas. As a result, if you depend on your phone for work, or if you move around a lot during your day, we suggest you pass on these otherwise very attractive rates. More here.
12) Most carriers are now offering a 30GB/month plan for $34
Freedom Mobile's offer this fall of 30GB of data for $34 has now had the desired effect: most of the major carriers are now also offering 30GB for $34. However, Freedom has upped the ante by including Canada/USA calling and roaming, and 5G calling. Freedom has also temporarily brought back their Black Friday offer of 10GB of 4G data for $29/month. More here and here.
If you're not on Freedom but are happy with your carrier and not on contract, you can call *611 and ask them to switch you to their $34/month 30GB plan.
13) Apple has halted sales of its flagship Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra in the USA because of a patent dispute — but Canada and the rest of the world are unaffected.
Because of a US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling, Apple has stopped selling its new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra models in the USA. The ITC ruled that the blood-oxygen sensor in those models infringes on a patent from a firm called Masimo, and issued an import ban. Apple is condident it'll win an appeal of that ruling, but the way the law works in the USA, the appeal can't be filed until the end of a 60-day window in which the White House could veto the ruling. That window ends on Christmas Day, and in the meantime, Apple has chose to pull those models from sale at its own stores and online in the USA. Third-parties in the USA are free to continue selling stock they have, but for now, they can't order any more. It's important to stress that the ruling only applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra models, and only in the USA, and that the reason is a patent dispute, not a safety issue or anything like that. So, if you own a Series 9 or Ultra Apple Watch, or are buying one for someone as a gift, you're fine! More here.
14) If you have a Mastermind Toys gift card, use it today before it gets invalidated!
Canadian toy retailer Mastermind Toys is in financial trouble, and has made a tentative deal to sell its assets and close 18 of its 66 stores across Canada. The Langford store is slated to remain open. But, as part of the Creditor Protection Act, Mastermind Toys says it will cease honouring gift cards after Christmas Eve. An estimated $5.6 million in unredeemed Mastermind Toys gift cards are out there. If you bought one as a Christmas Gift for someone, you need to give it to them today and have them redeem it before the close of business on the 24th! More here. Mastermind Toys is (our country's largest specialty toy and children's book retailer and has been in business since 1984.
15) Time to switch to the New Outlook Mail app!
Microsoft is retiring the Windows Mail app in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and replacing it with the Outlook Mail app, which has the same layout and appearance as the outlook.com web-interface. It also brings several sought-after features, including the ability to block senders with one click, and also to report and block scammers. If you currently use the Windows Mail app (a blue and white envelope icon), I've created instructions on how to migrate and customize the new Outlook Mail app so it won't seem quite different. You can view, download, and print the instructions below. If you don't do this upgrade yourself, Microsoft will automatically upgrade you one day soon, and you'll be caught by surprise!

PDF file

Outlook Mail app customizations.pdf

597.3 KB

16) AppleGPT on your iPhone may be coming sooner than you think!
Apple GPT in your pocket? It could be a reality sooner than you think. Apple AI researchers say they've made a key breakthrough in deploying large language models (LLMs) on iPhones and other Apple devices with limited memory by inventing an innovative flash memory utilization technique. More here.
17) Google agrees to $700 million Play Store anti-trust settlement
Google has agreed to pay $700 million USD to settle lawsuits brought by 30 US states alleging that it made developers pay too much to sell their apps on the Google Play Store. Of that money, $630 million is to be distributed to Americans who bought apps on the Play Store between 2016 and this past September. The minimum payment will be $2, with higher payments going to people who spent more money on Play Store apps. As part of the settlement, Google has also agreed to make it easier for Android users to pay for apps without going through the Play Store and its high commissions. Canadians are not part of this settlement. More here.
18) Microsoft's free CoPilot AI-powered assistant can now create entire songs for you, complete with sheet music!
You now no longer have to know how to sing, play an instrument, or read music to bring your musical ideas to life. Microsoft Copilot now has a free plug-in from Suno that will create an entire song for you, complete with instrumentation, vocal and backing tracks, based on what you ask it to create! More here.
19) Warner Bros./Discovery may merge with Paramount Global
In what 'd be a blockbuster deal that would further shake up the entertainment industry, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global are discussing a merger.
A merger would create serious competition for Netflix, as the merged streaming service would have the combined catalogue of Warner Bros., Discovery, Paramount, CBS, CNN, and HBO. More here.
20) Big Thanks to Alan from CityWide Digital 🙏
Alan is a web developer who reached out to suggest using Gamma as an alternative to our old (and glitchy) OneDrive shownotes. It was a huge level-up for us! 📈 Thanks!

citywidedigital.ca

Reach audiences on new, lucrative channels, strengthen your website or build your marketing from the ground up. We talk in a language you can understand AND we’ll handle the tricky stuff so you can focus on running your business.

Homework videos (a.k.a. "time well wasted"!)
40) Watch the Sky Elements Drone Shows team set two Guinness World Records with their Nutcracker Christmas drone show in Texas, which saw them launch more than 1500 drones

41) Watch a montage of the best clips shot on GoPro action cameras this year

42) Watch Andrea Bocelli and his son, Matteo Bocelli, sing "O Holy Night" / "Cantique de Noël"

43) Watch 12-year-old Cormac Thompson from Darwin sing "O Holy Night" to win the BBC's Choirister Of The Year" title

44) Watch what it's like in Pfaffenhofen, in Bavaria, where the family of Emma, our Grade 11 homestay student, are getting ready for Christmas

45) Watch our growing collection of the best 2023 Christmas ads from around the world...

YouTube

Best Christmas 2023 ads playlist

Here you'll find long versions of the best Christmas ads of 2023 from around the world. There will be lost more to come in the days ahead. Enjoy!

46) Watch the Gardiner Brothers brilliantly tap along with Feliz Navidad

47) Watch the a capella group "Straight No Chaser" perform their classic "12 Days Of Christmas"

48) Billy, The Christmas Pig, featuring the late Ken Dobson as Santa

49) "In der WeihnachtsbÀckerei" by Simone Sommerland

50) "Stille Nacht", the original German version of "Silent Night", by Die Korntaler

51) "Merry Christmas" by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John

52) "Rudolph, das kleine Rentier" — a German version of "Rudolph", by Simone Sommerland

53) "The Inexcelsis Polka" by The Continentals

54) "Randolph, The Rouge Nosed Reindeer" by Justin Wilson

55) "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Hadley Castille & The Louisiana Cajun Band

56) Watch: "Twas The Night Before Christmas", narrated by Michael Bublé 

and finally

From all of us behind these microphones, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
And so it goes