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Xfinity Mobile Lowers, Simplifies Pricing

Yesterday, 1:06 PM   by Rich Brome   updated Yesterday, 1:11 PM

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 as little as $25/line/month for multiple lines. It includes 30 GB of "Premium" 5G data each month and free roaming in Mexico & Canada. It replaces the old "Unlimited Intro" plan, which included neither of those features, and was typically $5/month more expensive (depending on number of lines). The new "Unlimited Plus" plan replaces both the old "Unlimited Plus" and "Unlimited Premium". It offers everything that the top-end Unlimited Premium plan offered, for less than the old mid-range Unlimited Plus. This new Unlimited Plus includes 50 GB of "Premium" 5G data, 15 GB of full-speed mobile hotspot, HD video, and free roaming in Mexico & Canada. It costs an additional $10/line/month compared to the standard "Unlimited" plan. (The old premium plans cost $55–65/month for one line, while this new plan costs $50/month.) Prices exclude taxes and "applicable fees". As always, Xfinity Mobile is only available to customers of Xfinity home internet.


Visible Improves its Premium Plan

Yesterday, 6:00 AM   by Rich Brome

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 Canada and Mexico is being bumped up from 0.5 to 2 GB per day. For 140 other countries, a "Global Pass" is now available for a flat $10/day that includes unlimited talk and text, and 2GB of high speed data. One free day per month is included with Visible+. Domestic mobile hotspot service is also being doubled in speed from 5 to 10 Mbps. Visible uses the Verizon network. Its plan prices includes all taxes and fees.


Samsung Brings Galaxy AI to More Phones

Tuesday, 6:00 PM   by Rich Brome

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.


Google and Apple Announce Next Big Keynote Events

Tuesday, 5:50 PM   by Rich Brome

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 is Google I/O, which kicks off on May 14th at 10am Pacific. Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) follows on June 10th.


US Justice Dept. Sues Apple for Monopolistic Behavior in Smartphones

Mar 21, 2024, 11:19 AM   by Rich Brome   updated Mar 21, 2024, 11:19 AM

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, for similar reasons. Specifically, the Justice Dept. claims several specific offenses:

  • Disrupting the growth of "super apps" with broad functionality that would make it easier to switch platforms.
  • Suppressing streaming game apps and certain other cloud-based applications.
  • Making cross-platform messaging worse, less innovative, and less secure to create platform lock-in.
  • Limiting the functionality of smartwatches when used with other platforms.
  • Limiting third-party apps from offering tap-to-pay functionality.
The complaint further alleges that Apple's illegal conduct also extends to web browsers, video communication, news subscriptions, entertainment, automotive services, advertising, location services, and more. The Justice Department is "seeking equitable relief on behalf of the American public to redress Apple's long-running, pervasive anticompetitive conduct."


Qualcomm Intros Another Chip for Almost-Flagship Phones

Mar 21, 2024, 5:30 AM   by Rich Brome

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-announced Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. It brings a long list of improvements compared to last year's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 that it replaces. Among these are many firsts for the 7 series, such as on-device generative AI, dual NPU with INT4 precision for always-on AI sensing, a low-power ISP for Always-On Camera, cognitive triple 18-bit ISP, UFS 4.0 storage, support for up to 24 GB of RAM at up to 4,200 MHz, Wi-Fi 7 with HBS, Bluetooth 5.4 with dual antennas, and Frame Motion Engine 2.0 for double-frame-rate gaming. It also has 15% improved CPU and 45% improved GPU performance. It has an Arm Cortex-X4 prime core running at up to 2.8 GHz, 4 performance cores, and 3 efficiency cores. It uses a Snapdragon X63 modem (like the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3) and FastConnect 7800 for local radios (like the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3). Qualcomm expects phones using the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 to reach the market in the "coming months".


Qualcomm Expands Snapdragon 8 Series to Cover More Price Points

Mar 18, 2024, 1:30 AM   by Rich Brome

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 chips powered "affordable flagship" phones one tier below that. The "s" designator in 8s represents an expansion of the Snapdragon naming scheme to create a new sub-tier between "8" and "7" or "7+". The specs of the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are effectively a blend of the current 8 Gen 3 and last year's 8 Gen 2. Qualcomm says that AI and camera are two areas where Qualcomm hasn't compromised, bringing over nearly the full capabilities of the 8 Gen 3. This includes the ability to perform generative AI and run multi-modal AI models with up to 10 billion parameters, all on-device. The 8s Gen 3 borrows several other features from full 8 Gen 3, including Arm Cortex-X4 architecture for the prime CPU core, support for up to 24 GB of RAM, USB version 3.1 Gen 2, and Bluetooth 5.4. Other specs are similar to last year's 8 Gen 2, such as an X70 modem (instead of X75) and 4200 MHz maximum RAM speed (instead of 4800). One area that puts it below both the 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 3 is video capture, which tops out at 4K instead of 8K. Qualcomm expects the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 to appear in phones launching globally, and soon (in a few months or even weeks.) Read on for a more detailed comparison between the 8 Gen 2, 8s Gen 3, and 8 Gen 3.

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Google Schedules I/O 2024 for May 14th

Mar 14, 2024, 3:42 PM   by Rich Brome

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, the company announced the Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a. It also announced new features coming to Android and Wear OS.


Asus Goes Big with Zenfone 11 Ultra

Mar 14, 2024, 11:15 AM   by Rich Brome   updated Mar 14, 2024, 11:59 AM

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 year's model was just 5.9". This change in strategy allows Asus to all but combine its ordinary and gaming lineups; the Zenfone 11 Ultra is basically the same phone as the ROG Phone 8, with only a different outer design. The 11 Ultra has all of the top-end specs expected of a flagship phone in 2024. Unusually, it also includes a 3.5mm headset jack, which supports Hi-res Audio and Dirac Virtuo. The US model has very good support for T-Mobile and AT&T 5G and 4G networks. It will be available in four colors: black, gray, blue, and sand. For $900 unlocked, it comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Pre-orders start today. From now until April 14, 2024, Asus is offering a free pair of ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds worth $100. Read on for more specs.

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House Passes Bill to Force Sale of TikTok

Mar 13, 2024, 12:31 PM   by Rich Brome

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 apps in the future. This specific bill (H.R. 7521, or the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act") moved quickly from proposal to vote, and received broad bipartisan support, passing 352 - 65. President Biden has indicated he supports the measure and would sign it. The bill's prospects in the Senate are unclear, however. Supporters claim TikTok remaining under Chinese ownership poses a national security threat. Chinese companies can be forced to turn over information to the Chinese government at any time. The EFF and civil rights groups oppose this bill, arguing that it would be both ineffective and unconstitutional. They also argue that only tighter regulation of how personal data can be collected and handled — by all companies and apps — can achieve the goal of protecting the personal data of US persons from falling into the wrong hands.


Motorola Brings More Affordable 5G Phones to its 2024 Lineup

Mar 12, 2024, 9:00 AM   by Rich Brome

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, 5,000 mAh battery, 128 GB storage (expandable), NFC, fingerprint reader (on the side), and a headset jack. For the moto g 5G, NFC is a key addition compared to last year's version. For the extra $100, upgrades on the moto g power 5G (compared to the moto g 5G) include a sharper display (FHD+ instead of HD+), double the RAM (8 GB instead of 4), better front camera (16 megapixel instead of 8), an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera (instead of 2-megapixel macro), faster charging (30-watt instead of 18), and wireless charging. Compared to last year's moto g power 5G, improvements include more RAM, the wide-angle camera, NFC, wireless charging, and faster wired charging. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile will all offer both phones. The moto g 5G (2024) will come to T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile first, on March 21st. Boost, Consumer Cellular, Cricket, TracFone, US Cellular, Xfinity, Google Fi, Optimum, Cox, Straight Talk, Total by Verizon, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, and Visible will also offer it. The moto g power 5G (2024) will launch with Cricket on March 22nd, and later with Metro, US Cellular, Straight Talk, Total by Verizon, Walmart Family Mobile, and Visible as well. Motorola's g series for 2024 also includes the already-announced, 4G-only moto g play (2024), which retails for $150.


Google Links Gmail with Wallet for Boarding Passes, Movie Tickets

Mar 11, 2024, 3:56 PM   by Rich Brome

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 on their phone. Google already has this type of automation between Gmail and Google Calendar. Google says this "integration is live for some global movie chains and airlines and we are working to expand this." Google is also making it easier to "archive" old passes, a function that was previously labeled "Expired Passes".


T-Mobile Fills in the Gaps in its Mid-Band 5G Network

Mar 7, 2024, 12:00 PM   by Rich Brome

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 covers 80 million people, and T-Mobile is lighting up 5G service in that band covering 60 million people over the next few days. 2.5 GHz, also known as band 41, is already the backbone of T-Mobile's 5G network, offering the most bandwidth of any sub-6 GHz band, which is why T-Mobile brands it as "Ultra Capacity 5G". As a mid-band frequency, it also offers a good balance of fast data speeds and good physical reach. T-Mobile already owned licenses for this band and operated 5G service with it across much of the country. But the 2.5 GHz band was originally licensed in an unusual way that left many geographic gaps. Auction 108 aimed to fix that, and T-Mobile forked over $304 million to the FCC for licenses covering the gaps in its mid-band 5G network. The affected rural areas may have had 5G service before, but only in other frequency bands that don't offer as much bandwidth, resulting in relatively slow data speeds.


Tap to Pay on iPhone Comes to Venmo, Zettle

Mar 7, 2024, 11:33 AM   by Rich Brome

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 need only their usual contactless payment method, be it a physical card or their phone (Apple Pay or Google Pay); customers do not need the Venmo app, for example. In both apps, the new feature fully supports taxes, tips, receipts, and refunds. Apple announced Tap to Pay on iPhone in early 2022, and Square added support for it in late 2022.


Verizon Makes it Easy to Add a Second Number to One Phone

Mar 7, 2024, 11:21 AM   by Rich Brome

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, for example. The plan can be added to any postpaid service for $10/month "plus fees" for a limited time ($15/month after June 5th). The plan requires a phone capable of dual-SIM via eSIM, which includes many current higher-end phones. Phones with this feature active are designed to clearly identify which line is associated with an incoming call or message, and make it easy to choose a line for outgoing communication. Verizon says the service will automatically transfer when a customer upgrades their phone.


Microsoft Kills Android-on-Windows

Mar 6, 2024, 12:34 PM   by Rich Brome

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 Appstore. Users who have already downloaded the Appstore and Android apps can continue using (and updating) apps for one year. However the Amazon Appstore is no longer available to download for users who don't already have it installed, and Amazon is no longer accepting new apps for it.


iOS 17.4, Out Today, Brings Transcripts to Apple Podcasts

Mar 5, 2024, 2:33 PM   by Rich Brome

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 listening to audio may be difficult. Text stays in sync with audio, highlighting the current word. Crucially, it also includes a search feature, which lets you search for any word or phrase and tap it jump to that part of the podcast. Starting today, transcripts are available for English-, French-, Spanish-, and German-language podcasts with iOS 17.4. Transcripts will automatically be available for new episodes shortly after episodes are published; previously released episodes will be transcribed over time.


Google Details Pixel Feature Drop for March

Mar 5, 2024, 1:27 PM   by Rich Brome

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.

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