Ladies Learning Code launches the cross-country Tour of the Code:Mobile

Ladies Learning Code will be at Parliament Hill to mark Science Odyssey Week and launch their newest and biggest initiative - the code:mobile.  The code:mobile is Canada’s first-ever traveling computer lab on wheels, which will drive across Canada this summer to inspire and empower Canadian youth to not only use technology but to create with technology and become our future innovators.

“Today’s event highlights the growing importance of digital literacy for Canadians. Organizations like Ladies Learning Code are helping to teach Canadians, in particular young women, the necessary skills to succeed and become passionate builders of technology,” said the Hon. Kirsty Duncan, the Minister of Science. “These types of hands-on experiences with technology transform the way youth engage with computer science and lay the foundation for future pathways to discovery and innovation.”

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Apple Pay expands to Canada with support from major banks this June

Apple's SVP for Apple Pay Jennifer Bailey demos the features of Apple Pay which is coming to Canada this JuneBy Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple Pay is available to all active Interac debit cards issued by CIBC and RBC. Your debit card does not have to be an Interac Flash enabled card. In stores, Apple Pay works with iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. You will first need to add your debit card to the Apple Wallet to make mobile transactions.

Interac can be used with Apple Pay to buy goods and services across Canada in the hundreds of thousands of Canadian stores wherever contactless payments 

Apple Pay, which securely uses iPhone and Apple Watch to enable contact less payments, has been in Canada for some time now but limited to customers of American Express credit cards. That is all changing shortly as major banks and other credit card companies have been announced as partners and are looking to offer the functionality to their iPhone and Apple Watch-toting users. 

Apple has confirmed that Apple Pay will be coming to CIBC (credit and debit), ATB (credit, debit coming later), Canadian Tire Financial Services (credit), RBC (credit and debit) and of course American Express has enjoyed the first-mover advantage since late last year. 

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‘Minecraft’ gives away its four Birthday Skin Packs for fourth anniversary

It’s Minecraft’s fourth birthday and what better way to celebrate for fans than to be getting the Birthday Skin Pack? What’s extra special this year is not only will Xbox One and Xbox 360 users be getting the 4^th Birthday Skin Pack but also the other three previous skin packs all for free. The giveaway is happening from today until May 16^th.

Source: Mojang

Microsoft waives July deadline of Windows 10 upgrade for assistive-tech users

Microsoft recently announced that they’re ending the free upgrade program to Windows 10 by July 29^th. Past that deadline Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will need to pay for their copy of Windows 10. However, there’s now an exception to that rule: those who use technologies designed for disabilities or those who make use of assistive technologies. Some of the assistive technologies in Windows 10 include a screen-reader app, Narrator; digital magnifying glass, Magnifier; and using your PC with just your voice alone with Speech Recognition. Microsoft hasn’t stated though until when this deadline will be and how they will determine if a computer user is said to be an assistive technology user. We will let you know when Microsoft gives out more details.

Source: PCWorld