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  Some Common (But Weird) AI Content on Social Media

  So, your social media feed is being taken over by AI. If yours looks anything like ours, here’s what you’re seeing. AI-Generated Celebrity Images A few months ago when Macaulay Cul...

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  How 20 OHL Teams Got Their Names

  Some have been teams since decades before the OHL was a thing and some are nearly new. Here’s how all 20 OHL teams got their names.Brantford BulldogsFor 34 years, they were the Bel...

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  How 16 WHL Teams Got Their Names

  Ah, the Western Hockey League. The original outlaw league. Here’s how a bunch of our favourite WHL teams got their names.Kamloops BlazersAt one point called the Junior Oilers and o...

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  The 11 Most Amazing NHL Records

  Over a hundred years of hockey have created some truly amazing records in the NHL. Here are a few of our favourites. Note: we’re writing before the 2024-25 season. If one of these ...

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  How to Worry Less about Online Scams

  Are you spending a lot of time worrying about online scams? That’s a very understandable reaction to online life. However, you can worry less by taking a few simple steps. Understa...

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  Pros & Cons of Using Mobile Payment Apps

  Are you considering using a payment app such as Apple Pay or Google Pay? Here are the pros, cons, and draws of paying via your phone.Pro: Fast & ConvenientYou just need to tap your phone on the machine and you’re done.Pro: Digital SecurityMost mobile app payments don’t store your credit card information. They’re tokenized. Basically, they use a digital “token” as a stand-in for your personal information, and they make transactions with a one-time security code. Even if hackers got a bunch of people’s tokens, they couldn’t do anything with them since it isn’t equivalent to getting a bunch of credit card numbers.Pro: Physical SecurityYour phone data is protected with encryption and maybe biometric security. Even if a thief gets your phone, they won’t be able to access your payment app.Pro: Reduced ClutterOne way to carry fewer cards is to put them on your phone.Draw: Transaction HistorySome mobile payment apps are compatible with budgeting and spending tracking apps. But many credit card providers offer this functionality too.Draw: Rewards ProgramsSome mobile payment apps track rewards cards. But some don’t, and some rewards cards don’t work with mobile payment apps or they require their own app. If you’re a major reward points maven, make sure your preferred program works with your desired mobile payments app.Draw: Variety of Payment AppsA store might accept some but not all payment apps. For example, at the time of writing, Walmart Canada doesn’t take Apple Pay, but they do take Walmart Pay.Draw: Widely Accepted . . . But Not Universally SoMobile payment apps aren’t an obscure payment method in 2024. Many if not most businesses take them. With that said, not everyone does, and you’d be in a bit of trouble if you didn’t have a credit card at a restaurant that doesn’t take mobile payment.Con: Not All Phones Can Use Payment AppsMany mobile payment apps rely on near-field communication (NFC) technology to work. But not all phones support NFC. If you have one of these phones, this conversation is kind of moot. And if you do use payment apps, you’ll have to be sure that any phone you upgrade to in the future supports NFC.Con: Phone RelianceConvenience can be a crutch sometimes. Sure, it’s great when everything is on your phone—until your phone’s battery dies. Or you lose your phone. Or smash the screen. Or one of any number of problems.Con: FeesAs with any financial instrument, it’s important to look into what fees you’re paying when you use payment apps. And as with anything, it can be a nuisance to compare fees across several payment apps and then compare that data with fees for credit or bank cards.

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