Cyber Monday Deals We're Eyeing

Lockdowns, long lines, and loungewear.

Do you need another reason to shop online? Start your holiday gift shopping this weekend and maybe finish with a few treats for yourself. We’ve got your Cyber Monday best deals guide to save you time browsing.

With the biggest electronic sale of the year just a few days away, it is never too early to start assembling your wish-list and to explore the best deals out there. We are, of course, talking about Cyber Monday. The pandemic has changed the way we shop - most likely you will have to stay in your sweatpants on your couch and get ready, as the biggest discounts on various electronics will be happening online. Here’s what we know about Cyber Monday 2020, so you can be prepared when the prices finally drop.  

When is Cyber Monday?

This year, Cyber Monday is on November 30, 2020. 

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Black Friday (or the first Monday after American Thanksgiving) and is a major shopping day for people everywhere. Unlike Black Friday, Cyber Monday tends to be more oriented towards all electronics. It is the perfect time to shop for gifts for upcoming holidays or to treat yourself to a new gadget. 

Keep in mind: Cyber Monday is not limited to a single day. Now, major companies make the deals and price drop available online before the actual event. We will try to cover the best deals, but keep a lookout for promotions from major retailers in case we missed anything. 

What are the best deals for Cyber Monday? 
Best Buy

Best Buy has already started their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, discounting anything from laptops to security cameras. Their sales will last until December 3 and will only increase over time. Best Buy is also offering free shipping on any orders over $35 and in-store pickup. One of the hottest items: LG’s 75 inch smart TV, which is currently on sale for $1000 - $1500 less than usual.     

Amazon.ca

The tech giant has also started their Black Friday deals - lots of electronics have their price currently reduced. Their official Black Friday sale begins on November 20 and will run until November 27, after which more sales will follow. Already, the discounts range from 10% to 60% off, and Amazon mentioned that in future the customers will see up to $110 off select Amazon devices and 40% off IRobot robotic vacuums. 

eBay Canada 

This multinational e-commerce platform is offering early access to Cyber Monday sales and deals, starting the shopping party early. The company is offering up to 50% off certain products, so you can pick a product with a bargain of a price before the actual sale day arrives. One item stands out - a new Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, which retails for $922.99 - $300 less than usual. 

The Source

Although the Canadian consumer electronics and cell phone retail chain are saying that Black Friday has not yet arrived at their store, they are already offering great price reductions. The Source’s website mentions that this is the best price you are going to get between Cyber Monday and now, so you shouldn’t wait and shop early for the best selection. If the price drops further, the company promises to match it until December 2. The Source is one of the only retailers offering discounts for Apple products currently: Apple Macbook Air with 13.3 inch screen is $90 off and Apple AirPods Pro are $30 off. This might not seem like much, but you have to remember that Apple products hardly ever go on sale, since they are always in demand. 

Walmart 

Walmart’s early Black Friday deals start on Thursday, November 19 and Cyber Monday offers to begin on Sunday, November 29 and last until December 2. While it is not known which promotions exactly are going to be in place, the company has teased the public with potential price drops on items like Samsung wide-screens, some gaming consoles and Apple products. 

This is great, but is there more? 

Yes! The retailers and deals mentioned above are from the big box stores - there are many more companies that offer great Cyber deals. If you’re looking for anything specific, just try googling it! With the shopping feature just below the search bar, Google will automatically provide you with the best options that are out there. 

Just as a quick reminder, remember to stay safe online and protect yourself from scams. Always check the legitimacy of the store - there’s a powerful review platform called TrustPilot. It is free and allows you to look up reviews for thousands of companies from real customers, so you can avoid any risks!

Have fun shopping online this Cyber Monday and remember to check the shipping time so your gift arrives before the holidays start! 

- Anna Povorozniuk, Virtual Communications Developer

Don't be Spooked Out by These 5 Common Tech Myths

Technology can be confusing and complicated at times. We might be using these devices everyday, but still have questions about how they truly work. There are many misconceptions surrounding modern technology: some of them being true in the past but no longer holding value in the modern world, some of them just being urban legends created to scare people off.

We have broken down some of the most common technological myths on Halloween’s Eve to show you that technology is not that spooky!

Myth: Using cell phones will give you brain cancer. 

Truth: Despite it being a common scare in the late 90s, it is simply not true. According to Business Insider, no research to this date has found a link between using a cell phone and getting cancer. Yes, cell phones do emit radiation but it does cause DNA damage, something that is the usual trigger for the disease. Still, you might want to stay tuned for this one. The studies have also indicated that more research is needed, as the results have been inconclusive on more than one. 

Myth: If you charge your devices before they fully run out of battery, they will lose the ability to take full charge. 

Truth: Back in the day, it used to be true. But now, with the recent advances in technology, this is no longer an issue. Today, lithium ion batteries are used in most devices. They are not only more efficient, but can be recharged at any time. In fact, the new batteries charge better with partial discharge instead of letting the battery run down all the way to zero. Apple notes that you should “charge your lithium-ion battery whenever you want - there’s no need to let it discharge 100% before recharging.” And who are we to argue with Apple?  

Myth: A slow-running computer has a virus. 

Truth: The virus can be to blame. But, before you panic, you might want to consider many other reasons your computer might be running slower. For starters, you might have a lot of applications and programs running in the background, which would slow down your computer. Even if you just have too many tabs open in any browser, it could consume a significant amount of energy. If your computer is still slow, you could check out your hard drive. There is a chance that you don’t have enough free space to move and manage files. Most computers require at least 15% to 20% of the hardwire to be left empty for optimal functioning. Lastly, your computer might be too old. We cannot hide from the progress of technology and, maybe, it’s time for an upgrade.  

Myth: Facebook uses your device’s microphone to listen in on your private conversations. 

Truth: With recent privacy scandals surrounding Facebook, it is hard not to believe this one. This myth has been floating around since Facebook first started showing people advertisements on their platform. There have been many reports of people saying that they have gotten advertisements that mirrored their recent conversations. BBC reported that one couple saw wedding advertisements the day after they got engaged, before they even told anyone. 

However, Facebook issued a statement in 2016, which debunked this myth once and for all. “Some recent articles have suggested that we must be listening to people’s conversations in order to show them relevant ads. This is not true,” the statement read. “We show ads based on people’s interests and other profile information – not what you’re talking out loud about.” 

Myth: Cloud technology is expensive and isn’t secure.

Truth: Cloud technology has recently exploded when access to the internet became more available. Cloud storage providers, such as Dropbox, now offer affordable and scalable storage from any device. A couple years back, in order to store large amounts of data, you had to purchase multiple hard drives or purchase and maintain a server. Cloud technology relieves you from all this trouble: all you need now is access to the internet. It’s not expensive either: you can purchase just the amount of storage you need for your business. If you just need storage for individual needs, there are plenty that are available for free, such as Google Drive, for example. Google also has a storage device named Google Photos, which provides you with free and unlimited storage for all your photos up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p resolution.

You might have some security concerns, which is understandable. After all, you are trusting these companies with your data. Cloud providers devote a lot of their energy to security. If their services are compromised, it could put the company out of business and make them liable for a lawsuit, so they take security extremely seriously. 

- Anna Povorozniuk, Virtual Communications Developer

Tech Coaches Pushes Onward with virtual Probus Club!

Since COVID-19 has greatly impacted the ordinary way of life, Tech Coaches mission to boost digital literacy in the community has become increasingly important. Here is a closer look at Tech Coaches’ partnership with PROBUS, virtual sessions and what’s in store for 2020.

Chris, Chief Learning Officer, explains that Tech Coaches exists to communicate technology well. People, who want to increase their digital literacy, can receive that information effectively and quickly directly. If somebody is 75 years old, they don’t need a two year learning curve. They want to pick things up fast, so they can start getting value out of it right away. Tech Coaches specializes in designing that kind of educational experience. That’s what they do with Probus.

To learn more about PROBUS visit their website: https://www.probus.org

How It All Started 

Tech Coaches worked with Probus since the company started, which was in early 2018. Chris did work with Probus for over a year before that, under a different arrangement. Their relationship started when Probus was looking for someone to provide their existing Computer Group with relevant insight into technology. Since Tech Coaches specializes in making the content fit the needs of the group they work with and look to share information with value, it was a perfect fit.  

Each month Tech Coaches and Probus get together. Tech Coaches puts together a themed presentation, with emphasis on active conversation, and dives into a specific topic or device chosen in advance. This is done to make sure the session is easy to follow. 

In real life, Chris stands in front of a screen. There is a projector hooked up to a device. A small group of 15 people have their computers, phones and tablets in front of them. Tech Coaches guides them through the basics such topics as Windows 10, file explorer navigation, different privacy configurations. In the following session, the lesson might be about smartphones: essential apps, different location services to disable or enable, etc. Chris likes to entice people to talk frankly about technology, understand it. That’s what lets you get comfortable with it. You first need to understand how to drive a car to feel safe behind the wheel. It’s the same with technology - ones who are uncomfortable are the ones who don’t know how to use it. Once you get it, you are actually upset once someone tries to take it away. 

Tech Coaches ultimate goal is for the members of the Probus club to have confidence in their own digital literacy. So much that they have extra to share with others. What does that do for Tech Coaches? It extends the company’s ability to boost digital literacy for many people with a willingness to learn. If 15 Probus members understand how to identify an Internet scam, then those 15 people can share that information with their friends and loved ones. This helps to push digital literacy forward. 

Meetings Post COVID-19 

COVID-19 brought a huge change. Everybody was forced into video conferencing. Probus members gracefully handled the switch, since they had foundational digital literacy. That's the snowball effect. When you become comfortable with the basics of technology, your willingness to learn increases. Doesn’t matter what the technical change is anymore, you’re open to it. You will be able to figure it out. Because of that foundational literacy Tech Coaches were able to completely virtualize the Probus program, which improved the effectiveness of it. Not only everybody is at home, sitting comfortably with all their devices 2 feet away from the monitor, Chris can also more intimately communicate with the participants. 

Average session in a virtualProbus meeting starts with Tech Coaches providing a Zoom link. Everybody dials in at the same time with their video turned on. Chris gets into the planned topic, which often requires him to share the screen of his computer. Depending on the topic, he might have a camera beside him to demonstrate how to operate a device closely. After, the participants ask questions. A lot of the session has to do with active conversation. If some aspect of the lesson was unclear, Chris always encourages people to tell him. Then, he explains the issue in a different way. Sometimes, Chris and the participants have to find out the answer together. Tech Coaches leads the way so you don’t have to, you can just watch and learn.

The number of participants increased virtually compared to in-person. It is because of the logistical differences. People no longer can't come to the meetings because they went to Florida, for example. Now, they can just tap into the Zoom link wherever they are. 

During the last meeting, which was virtual, Tech Coaches and Probus were setting the agenda for the year. They were just chatting as a group about all the different topics that they want to cover in the following months.  There are topics that Tech Coaches always go over: email, calendars and contacts - the essentials. Tech Coaches break each topic down as they go, to make sure people understand a certain technology as much as they do.

What’s in Store for the Upcoming Year?

Tech Coaches is currently working directly with the Mississauga South Chapter. In the upcoming year, they would like to expand by inviting members from different Probus Chapters to the existing meetings. The goal is to see if the Computer Group would be of value to other Chapters as well. If they would like to start up a club in their own Chapter, it can be done quite easily since Tech Coaches has been doing it for a long time. 

Initially, this wasn’t the plan for the year. Tech Coaches in February of 2020 were not talking about expanding the Probus Digital Literacy Club the way they are now. Before it was limited by geographic reach - it wasn’t possible to drive everywhere, so they couldn’t reach out to all the other chapters the way they want to now. Virtual sessions removed the issues of space and time. They allow for a greater amount of people to boost their digital literacy and learn new technologies. That’s the goal for the year: to expand into other Probus Chapters. 

An ideal future client for this program is any group of adults who identify as basic and intermediate users, and are interested in boosting their digital literacy. Tech Coaches don’t offer advanced web development, they do not specialize in that. What they are very good at doing is helping any average user advance their technological skills. Tech Coaches is a resource that curates information for you. They have their finger on the pulse of technology and if you stick with them - you will have your finger on the pulse too.  

- Anna Povorozniuk, Virtual Communications Developer

How Canada's Coronavirus Tracing App Works

During the past few months, Canadians have been in quarantine following public health advice in order to minimize COVID-19 cases. Now, as more regions have begun the progress on moving into stage III of reopening, there still needs to be precautions set into place on mitigating active cases of the virus to stay safe and healthy.

COVID Alert is an app that was recently launched which is available for free download from the App Store or the Google Play Store. The app alerts users if they may have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus.

One main issue is that the app does not work on certain older-model phones. COVID Alert requires users to have Apple or Android phones that are models created within the past five years. Furthermore, COVID Alert will not work on Android phones running versions older than 6, and iPhones running IOS versions below 13.5.

As of right now,  the app is completely voluntary and serves as an instrument to the public to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Patients who test positive for COVID-19 will receive a one-time code from their doctor that they can enter into the app. 

When the code is entered, COVID Alert will instantly alert other users who may have come in close contact with that person for at least 15 minutes in the past 14 days. COVID Alert uses Bluetooth to pings other users of the app when they are within a 2-metre range of someone who tested positive.

To ensure that privacy is protected, COVID Alert maintains strong measures to protect any data it collects. Moreover, the app doesn’t track a user's location or collect personal information. Since privacy was a big area that COVID Alert desires to protect, the Privacy Commissioners of Canada and Ontario were consulted on the development of the app.

The app launched on Aug. 3, as of right now, it has been downloaded 1.3 million times. This roughly translates to about 3.42 percent of the country’s population. Experts have previously said, “at least 60 percent of a given population needs to be running the app for it to be effective against the spread of the pandemic” (Oxford University). As of right now,  COVID Alert is only running in Ontario, however,  the app is available for download across Canada. 

- Kelly Tong (Technology Reporter/Researcher @ Tech Coaches)

Kobo Digital Book Clubs 2.0 in Partnership with Rakuten Kobo Inc.

We are launching a new version of the Kobo Digital Book Club!

Are you interested in creating an opportunity to host monthly book club meetings? We at Tech Coaches have partnered with Rakuten Kobo Inc. to introduce a new way for retirement communities to successfully enjoy a common interest; reading.

If you know a retirement community that would be interested in this amazing free opportunity for their residents please contact us!

The amazing thing about Kobo devices is that it makes reading from a device virtually accessible anywhere you are, from on-the-go or in the convenience of their own suite. In support of lifelong learning, we hope to connect seniors with these devices to ignite their passion of reading. Tech Coaches is very eager to launch this program in order for retirement communities to embrace technology and help them use it in their everyday lives.

The Kobo Digital Book club was created to grant seniors the ability to embrace technology and social inclusion through reading. It operates by providing groups of seniors with their very own Kobo reader device with pre-set digital books downloaded to read on them. We offer training to staff so they can best help those who’d like to participate. 

The training includes technical support so that staff members can effectively teach the club members how to use a Kobo device until they are fully comfortable and confident in navigating through the device by themselves. Any retirement community interested in this program will receive up to 20 free set up devices with preloaded books and the availability to add many more of interest. 

Our goal is to train a staff member on the devices so they can in turn train the interested residents, then start to run monthly club meetings. Our training will target setting up the staff member to be a support system in place to solve any technological obstacles that may arise with the devices. 

To ensure safety, the training done from us to the staff member will all be virtual. Stay tuned for more updates in the future once we officially launch this program.

- Kelly Tong (Technology Reporter/Researcher @ Tech Coaches)