04-24-24 -

TCL 50 Series Reaches US on Metro
TCL's new 50 series of phones is reaching US shores with the launch of the TCL 50 XL 5G on Metro by T-Mobile tomorrow. At $159, it's one of the more affordable 5G phones available to date. As the "XL" implies, the phone has a large displ...

04-24-24 -

"TikTok Ban" Becomes Law
President Biden has signed a law that will force the sale of TikTok or ban the app in the US, one day after the bill passed the US Senate. Chinese owner ByteDance has one year to divest TikTok to a non-Chinese entity, or the app will be banned fro...

04-24-24 -

HMD Moving Beyond Nokia with its Own Brand
HMD, maker of Nokia-branded phones, is launching a new line of phones under its own HMD brand. This comes as the company expands into other brand partnerships (including Barbie and Heineken) as well as white-label phones, while continuing to make ...

04-18-24 -

IHG Rolls Out Hotel TVs with AirPlay
IHG has flipped the switch on Apple AirPlay at 60 of its North American hotels. The wireless media-casting feature is now available in hotel rooms via LG TVs with a special implementation designed just for hotels. Guests scan a unique QR code disp...

04-18-24 -

Samsung Expands Mid-Range Lineup with Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung is bringing more mid-range phones to the US this year with the introduction of the Galaxy A35 5G. Samsung brought the Galaxy A32 5G to the US in late 2021, but the A33 and A34 skipped the US. Samsung launched the A15 and A25 in January. Th...

04-18-24 -

Comcast Launches "Now" Prepaid Mobile
Comcast is launching "Now Mobile", a new prepaid mobile phone service to compliment its existing Xfinity Mobile postpaid service. Like Xfinity Mobile, Now Mobile is only available to customers of Comcast home internet service (either Xfi...

04-17-24 -

Visible First to Offer Annual Payment Plan, with Discount up to 26%
Visible is introducing a new "annual plan" option that gives customers the option of paying for a whole year of service in advance, in exchange for a discount. The premium Visible+ plan is available for $395/year, a savings of $145 (over...

04-12-24 -

Google Discontinues VPN in Google One
Google will no longer include a VPN service with its Google One subscription service bundle. Google told 9to5Google that the feature is being discontinued because "people simply weren’t using it." Google first introduced the feature fo...

04-11-24 -

Android 15 Beta 1 Out Now
Google has released the first test version of Android 15 available to the public. Following two "developer preview" releases, those with a compatible Pixel phone enrolled in Google's beta program can now update to Android 15 Beta 1. (As ...

04-11-24 -

Apple Expands Repair Program with Support for Used Parts
Apple is expanding its third-party and self-repair programs to allow the use of used genuine Apple parts when repairing iPhones. The company will also no longer require a device serial number when ordering parts. Apple's unique Parts and Service h...

04-11-24 -

AI Tools Coming to All Google Photos Users
Google is bringing some of its newest AI-powered photo-editing tools to nearly all Google Photos users, after first introducing the features as exclusive to its Pixel 8 series of phones. Features like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, and ...

04-10-24 -

Fairphone's New Bluetooth Earbuds are First with Replaceable Batteries
Fairphone has launched the Fairbuds, the first Bluetooth true wireless earbuds with easily-replaceable batteries, in both the earbuds and the charging case. The Fairbuds are also designed to be easily repairable and come with a three-year warranty...

04-08-24 -

Google Launches New "Find My Device" Network
Google has launched its new Find My Device app and service, which mimics the capabilities of Apple's Find My app and service, and works in a similar way. Both systems tap into the Bluetooth functions of billions of smartphones and other devices wo...

04-05-24 -

FCC to Vote on Net Neutrality, Sale of Location Data
The FCC is preparing to vote on broad regulations affecting all broadband providers, including all cellular service providers. Many of the specific regulations are not new; the FCC is simply reclassifying mobile data as a "commercial mobile s...

04-03-24 -

Apple Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 launched with support for fast 15-watt wireless charging, but only with Apple MagSafe chargers. Macworld reports that iOS 17.4 quietly introduced support for fast wireless charging with third-party chargers using the Qi2 standard.

04-01-24 -

Data Breach Affects 73 Million Current and Former AT&T Customers
AT&T has confirmed a large data breach of its customer data. The data includes full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, social security number, date of birth, AT&T account number, and passcode (4-digit PIN). AT&T has pr...

03-28-24 -

Oregon Right-to-Repair Law Bans Parts Pairing
Oregon has officially passed its own "right to repair" law, joining California, Minnesota and New York. Oregon's law goes further than other states', however, by banning "parts pairing", a practice where components are linked t...

03-28-24 -

Google Relents on Odd Pixel 8 AI Limitations
When Google first announced the Pixel 8 series, certain AI-powered features were limited to the Pixel 8 Pro, even though both the 8 and 8 Pro are powered by the same Tensor G3 chip. This seemingly arbitrary limitation created some backlash. Google...

03-27-24 -

Xfinity Mobile Lowers, Simplifies Pricing
Xfinity Mobile has completely revamped its Unlimited plans, with the replacement plans both offering more and costing less. Two plans replace three. The new base-level plan is simply called "Unlimited" and runs $40/month for one line or ...

03-27-24 -

Visible Improves its Premium Plan
Visible is enhancing its premium Visible+ plan while keeping the price the same at $45/month. The plan will now include faster mobile hotspot, free smartwatch connectivity, and two international roaming improvements. Unlimited full-speed data in C...

03-26-24 -

Samsung Brings Galaxy AI to More Phones
Later this week, Samsung will roll out One UI 6.1 in the US for the the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, and Z Flip5. New features include Circle to Search with Google, Live Translate, Chat Assist, and Generative Edit.

03-26-24 -

Google and Apple Announce Next Big Keynote Events
Google and Apple both have big annual developer events coming up in the next few months. As usual, each will kick off with a major livestreamed keynote. Major new software is typically revealed at these events, including for smartphones. First up ...

03-21-24 -

US Justice Dept. Sues Apple for Monopolistic Behavior in Smartphones
The US Justice Department, joined by 16 other attorneys general, today filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for illegal monopolization of smartphone markets. The move comes after the EU forced Apple to change the way it operates in Europe...

03-21-24 -

Qualcomm Intros Another Chip for Almost-Flagship Phones
Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 mobile platform, a chipset for high-end phones that are just below "flagship" class. This new chip sits just above the existing Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the lineup, and right below the just-a...

03-18-24 -

Qualcomm Expands Snapdragon 8 Series to Cover More Price Points
Qualcomm has revealed the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, an expansion of the 8 series to a slightly more affordable price point. Traditionally, the 8 series (like the new 8 Gen 3) powered top-end "flagship" phones, and the 7 series...

03-14-24 -

Google Schedules I/O 2024 for May 14th
Google's big annual developer event "will be broadcast in front of a small live audience and is open to everyone online" on May 14th this year. Google often announces new products and features at this annual event. At last year's event, ...

03-14-24 -

Asus Goes Big with Zenfone 11 Ultra
Asus has revealed its latest global flagship phone: the Zenfone 11 Ultra. This year's model abandons the compact form factor that was a hallmark of the Zenfone series in recent years; the 11 Ultra has a 6.78" FHD+ AMOLED display, whereas last...

03-13-24 -

House Passes Bill to Force Sale of TikTok
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or face a complete ban on the app in the US. It would also grant the President the power to include other foreign-owned a...

03-12-24 -

Motorola Brings More Affordable 5G Phones to its 2024 Lineup
Motorola has announced the 2024 editions of the moto g 5G and moto g power 5G, priced at $200 and $300, respectively (MSRP, unlocked). Both phones offer 5G, a vegan leather finish on the back, 120 Hz display refresh, 50 megapixel main camera, 5,00...

03-11-24 -

Google Links Gmail with Wallet for Boarding Passes, Movie Tickets
Google has created a new link between Gmail and Wallet to automate airline boarding passes and movie tickets. When these types of passes are detected in an email received in Gmail, Google will attempt to automatically add them to the user's Wallet...

03-07-24 -

T-Mobile Fills in the Gaps in its Mid-Band 5G Network
T-Mobile is activating large swaths of fast mid-band 5G coverage across the country, primarily in rural areas. This new coverage is the result of the FCC's Auction 108 for 2.5 GHz spectrum, which concluded in late 2022. The newly-acquired spectrum...

03-07-24 -

Tap to Pay on iPhone Comes to Venmo, Zettle
PayPal announced that it now supports Tap to Pay on iPhone for Venmo business profile and PayPal Zettle users in the US. This allows small businesses to accept NFC tap payments directly with just an iPhone; no extra hardware required. Customers ne...

03-07-24 -

Verizon Makes it Easy to Add a Second Number to One Phone
Verizon today launched Second Number, a new add-on plan that adds a second line and telephone number to your existing phone. People might use a second number for safely selling on online marketplaces, operating side gigs, or replacing landlines, f...

03-06-24 -

Microsoft Kills Android-on-Windows
Microsoft is removing Android app compatibility from Windows. The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) was a feature of Windows 11 that enabled Android apps to run on PCs. A limited selection of Android apps were available primarily via the Amazon ...

03-05-24 -

iOS 17.4, Out Today, Brings Transcripts to Apple Podcasts
iOS version 17.4 is officially available for iPhones starting today. One major new feature of the update is podcast transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app. The feature improves accessibility and gives users a new option in other scenarios where lis...

03-05-24 -

Google Details Pixel Feature Drop for March
The March software update for Pixel devices includes support for 10-bit HDR photos and videos within Instagram. It also brings Circle to Search to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

02-26-24 -

Google Brings Wallet Passes, Transit Directions to Wear OS
Google has finally updated Wallet on Wear OS to more closely match the functionality of Wallet on Android, supporting all types of cards, passes, and tickets. Wallet for Wear OS previously only supported credit and debit cards. Now it will support...

02-26-24 -

Google Brings AI to Messaging in Android
Google today announced two major new AI features for messaging in Android. The first is in Android Auto, where AI will now automatically summarize long texts or busy group chats while driving. It will also "suggest relevant replies and action...

02-26-24 -

Qualcomm's Next Modems Will Support Standards-Based Satellite Service and UWB
Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon X80 modem and FastConnect 7900, its most advanced modem/RF solutions for 5G and other radios (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) The Snapdragon X80 includes modem and radio support for the Skylo satellite network, whic...

02-26-24 -

TCL Shares Pricing for 50 Series
TCL has released launch info for its 50 series of phones, first previewed at CES a few weeks ago. The first to launch will be the TCL 50 XL 5G (shown in photo), coming to Metro by T-Mobile in the second quarter for "under $169". The two ...

02-26-24 -

Qualcomm Aims for Sub-$100 5G Phones
Qualcomm has announced a goal of enabling phone makers to offer 5G phones under $100 with true 5G (gigabit) data speeds. These new phones would shed costs by supporting only 5G SA (stand-alone) networks, not 5G NSA (non-stand-alone) networks that ...

02-25-24 -

Motorola Commits to Gorilla Glass on All Phones
Motorola announced that its entire lineup of phones will feature Corning Gorilla Glass starting in the second half of this year. Gorilla Glass is widely used on higher-end smartphones and known for its toughness and durability. Different versions ...

02-25-24 -

Motorola to Seamlessly Link Phones with Lenovo Laptops and Tablets
Motorola and Lenovo have announced Smart Connect, a set of software features that will intelligently link various device types to function as a seamless suite. Cross control lets a single keyboard and mouse navigate between your PC, tablet, and ph...

02-25-24 -

AT&T Will Credit Customers for Outage
AT&T has provided more details on its response to the unusually widespread and lengthy outage of its wireless network on Thursday. The company's only explanation of the cause remains "the application and execution of an incorrect process&...

02-23-24 -

AT&T Explains What Caused Outage Yesterday
AT&T has issued a statement on what caused a major outage of its wireless network yesterday morning, lasting up to 11 hours for some customers. "Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application a...

02-22-24 -

AT&T Suffers Large Cellular Outage
AT&T suffered a large outage of its mobile network this morning. In a statement to the New York Times, AT&T acknowledged the issue and said it is working "urgently" to restore service. The service DownDetector shows the outage st...

02-21-24 -

Samsung Update Brings Galaxy AI to More Phones
In late March, Samsung will release its One UI 6.1 software for the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, and Z Flip5. It adds the following "Galaxy AI" features that debuted on the S24 series: Circle to Search, Live Translate, Interpreter...

02-21-24 -

Apple Upgrades iMessage Encryption for Quantum Threat
Apple announced that it is upgrading the end-to-end encryption in iMessage to guard against the threat that future quantum computers may be able to easily defeat today's traditional encryption. Although no such quantum computer is known to exist t...

02-21-24 -

Apple Launches its own Free Sports App
Apple today launched Apple Sports, a free iPhone app for tracking sports scores and related info. Users can customize their scoreboards by following their favorite teams, info that is synced with the Apple TV app and Apple News. Besides scores the...

02-21-24 -

Signal Will No Longer Make You Share Your Phone Number
Popular encrypted messaging app Signal is preparing to roll out usernames to replace phone numbers when starting conversations with new people. Signal has long been one of the more privacy-focused messaging apps, with the glaring exception that it...