Microsoft to lay off thousands of employees as part of restructuring move

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Barely a week after Satya Nadella's widely publicized memo about a new Microsoft, some disturbing yet expected news from Redmond as reports of thousands of layoffs in the coming year. Affected are both Microsoft employees as well as Nokia employees around the world.

Microsoft announced this morning that 18,000 jobs will be eliminated. Nokia, which was recently acquired by Microsoft, will suffer the brunt of the culling with up to 12,500 professionals and factory workers being let go.

This is a staggering number of layoffs, one of the largest from a technology company of this size. What's more, it looks like as per Stephen Elop's revelation today, the company will abandon the Nokia X platform of affordable, Android powered devices. Stay tuned as more news surfaces

TP-Link Canada's 10400mAh Power Bank is a multipurpose mobile charger

Here's a smartphone and tablet charger that doesn't look like a brick yet manages to charge a smartphone 3-5 times. The TP-Link 10400mAh Power Bank is surprisingly small yet can charge two tablets simultaneously. It features two USB ports, charges via a microUSB port and even has a clever built-in flashlight for emergencies. It is compatible with 5V input USB-charged devices.

The TP-LINK TL-PB10400 battery charger is now shipping and costs around $59.99.

Apple's iTunes Pass now available in Canada

Great news down the pipeline. Now you can add money directly to your iTunes or App Store account with iTunes Pass. To get iTunes Pass, go to the iTunes Store on your iOS device, scroll down and tap the Redeem button. Then go in to any Apple Retail Store3 and let a Specialist know you want to add credit to your account. Open iTunes Pass in Passbook and have the Specialist scan it and accept your payment. Your balance will be updated and can be used immediately. iTunes Pass is great because now you can get  iTunes Store credit directly without the need for physical gift cards. Moreover, this could be the first move towards a more comprehensive mobile payments system in the future.

Norton partners with Staples Canada to offer Norton Virus Protection Service

Norton wants to make sure your devices are protected from viruses with the new service it offers with Staples Canada. When users purchases a Norton 360 Multi-Device for their computer, they will have access to normal product support but will be extended to the Virus Removal Service offered through Staples Easy Tech Services once a virus is detected. If remote services don’t resolve the issue, Norton will dispatch an agent to examine the issue on-site.

Virus Protection Service covers one user for one year from installation date and can be added on to most installation services available exclusively through Staples Easy Tech Centres around the country. It will be available for $99 for the first device and additional services can be purchased for other devices (PC’s, Mac’s, smartphones, and tablets) for $49.It will be available in English and French.