Phantom text messages were sent around the country last night
According to a slew of posts on Reddit and Twitter, a number of users received text messages that weren't actually sent. According to some reports, the messages are actually duplicates of messages sent on February 14, and the issue could be related to a cross-carrier messaging system update.
Digital Trends Live: T-Mobile/Sprint merger, Ford’s manual EV, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Greg Nibler and Jeremy Kaplan break down the biggest trending stories in tech, including the T-Mobile/Sprint merger, Facebook’s facial-recognition, Ford’s new manual EV, drone deliveries for CVS, and more.
The FCC has officially approved the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint
A few weeks after voting on the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile, the FCC has published statements and officially passed approval. The two companies have long argued that the merger would result in a stronger 5G network, and that was one of the main reasons the FCC approved the deal.
AT&T to pay $60 million FTC settlement for ‘bait-and-switch’ unlimited data plan
The FTC ordered AT&T to pay $60 million in a settlement regarding unlimited data plans and reduced data speeds. A 2014 complaint alleges that AT&T didn’t fully disclose its policy to its customers with unlimited data plans that data speeds slowed down after a certain amount of data use.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE review
Mobvoi has launched a 4G version of its TicWatch Pro, which has seen some slight changes from last year’s model. The LTE connectivity only works on Verizon at the moment, but it opens a world of possibilities with the watch. You won’t find a more feature-packed Wear OS by Google smartwatch than the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE.
AT&T switches up its strategy with three new Unlimited data plans
AT&T is fully adopting the Unlimited data plan model. The company has announced three new Unlimited data plans, each with a different set of perks and advantages. The new plans range in price from $65 for a single line to $85 for a single line, though you'll get discounts with additional lines.
For $15 a month, HBO Max gives you South Park, Green Lantern, Joker, and more
HBO Max, WarnerMedia's entry in the ever-growing streaming wars, launches in May 2020 and comes with every DC Comics movie from the past 40 years, the entire run of South Park, Rick & Morty, The Lord of the Rings, two new DC shows, and a whole lot more -- all for the price of a regular HBO subscription.
AT&T will offer an ad-supported version of its HBO Max streaming service in 2021
HBO Max will reportedly have a cheaper, ad-supported tier in 2021, making it the first HBO product to include commercials. According to Reuters, the ad-supported version of HBO Max would launch roughly one year after the launch of HBO Max, which will be an ad-free subscription service.
How to get Disney+ free with a Verizon Wireless unlimited data plan
All new and existing Verizon Wireless customers with unlimited data plans, as well as new Verizon Fios and 5G home internet subscribers, can get a year of Disney+, the new streaming service that'll be the exclusive digital home for Star Wars, Marvel, Disney's classic library, and more, for free.
Mobvoi brings sleep tracking to the TicWatch Pro and TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE
Mobvoi has beaten Apple to the punch and is bringing A.I.-powered sleep tracking to the TicWatch Pro and TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE through the TicSleep app. The new app is designed to track sleep through the sensors on the TicWatch and offer insights on how to get better sleep.
T-Mobile-Sprint merger jumps another hurdle with official FCC approval
T-Mobile and Sprint are one step closer to finalizing their proposed merger, as the FCC has officially voted to approve the deal. The companies still face a multistate coalition of attorneys seeking to block the deal, however, T-Mobile and Sprint now have approval from the two key federal agencies.
Verizon is bringing its 5G service to parts of New York City
Verizon has announced that it's bringing its 5G service to parts of New York City. With the addition of New York, the company will have 5G available in 11 cities around the country, including Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis, and more. The company is expected to launch 5G in 30 cities by the end of 2019.
Get 3% Daily Cash on Apple Card for any T-Mobile store purchase
T-Mobile announced it has partnered with Apple to offer you an unbeatable amount of Daily Cash on any Apple Card purchase from T-Mobile stores. Starting from Friday, September 20, you'll be able to get 3% Daily Cash from any purchase with Apple Pay through your Apple Card. Maybe treat yourself to a new iPhone.
Moto Z3 review
Motorola’s flagship smartphone of 2018 looks exactly like its mid-range smartphone of 2018, and it’s powered by a processor from 2017. It may sound odd, but this $480 Verizon-exclusive device is a strong performer, and will be the first upgradable 5G smartphone next year.
Testing Sprint’s 5G speeds on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G in New York City
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G has landed in the U.S., and it's the cheapest 5G phone you can buy on Sprint's network. It joins the LG V50 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, and HTC 5G Hub to be the fourth 5G device on Sprint. Coinciding with the launch is Sprint's latest wave of 5G cities including New York and L.A.
Verizon is finally turning on spam-call filtering by default
Verizon is getting a little more serious about spam phone calls. The company has announced that it will enable spam call filtering by default on select Android smartphones, and that list is expected to grow every week until all phones are covered by the new tech.
Phone companies say they finally have a way to block robocalls for good
Twelve of the biggest American phone companies, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, took a pledge on Thursday to start using a new technology that would identify and block robocalls. The carriers are partnering with 51 attorneys general and will announce the pledge in Washington.
Google was sharing Android user location data with carriers worldwide
Google quietly ended a service providing cell carriers with location data from customers. The “Mobile Network Insight Service” gave data on connection speeds and integrity using a map showing data from Android users on any carrier. Data was aggregated and anonymous, and carrier names weren't disclosed.
The Galaxy Note 10+ 5G is the first phone to support T-Mobile’s 600MHz spectrum
Samsung has finally unveiled the new Galaxy Note 10, along with the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G. The new device is exclusive to Verizon at launch, but will eventually be available on other carriers, including, for example, T-Mobile, where it will be the first device to support T-Mobile's 600MHz 5G spectrum.
AT&T employees allegedly accepted $1M in bribes to unlock millions of phones
Two men bribed AT&T employees with more than $1 million to plant malware and use the company's own systems to unlock millions of AT&T phones, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday. The company lost $5 million because of the scheme, officials said.
AT&T subscribers can now get Spotify Premium for free — here’s how
So you want free Spotify Premium, huh? Well, you're in luck — if you're an AT&T customer, that is. That's because it's offering a free Premium subscription to all its customers on select plans, as well as a six-month trial to those who aren't. Here's everything you need to know to redeem this hot deal.
Sprint and OnePlus are bringing a 5G phone to the U.S. soon
Sprint and OnePlus are working together to bring a 5G smartphone to the U.S. It will be the fourth 5G product available on the carrier. OnePlus already has a 5G phone in other parts of the world. It's unclear if this upcoming phone is the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, or something new.
Verizon Unlimited plans bundle 5G, but won’t allow 1080p streaming over LTE
Verizon has just announced a new range of Unlimited plans -- a BuzzFeed-style quiz to go with them. Three of the four plans also include unlimited access to Verizon's burgeoning 5G network around the U.S., but oddly, even the most expensive of the plans doesn't seem to include 1080p streaming on LTE.
Half of Americans will have 5G by 2020, Verizon CEO claims
Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg told CNBC that half of Americans would have access to 5G technology by next year. He also said that half of Americans would own a 5G compatible phone by 2024. He added that 4G was a much slower process than 5G is proving to be. Verizon recently rolled out 5G in four more cities.
With a rebrand imminent, AT&T is hoping you forget what DirecTV Now was
In August, AT&T's live TV streaming service, DirecTV Now, will be known as AT&T TV Now and will get a new app to celebrate. Somehow, this will be different from AT&T TV, a separate platform that AT&T announced last week that has some kind of hardware component. Confused yet? Us too.
It’s official: Justice Department approves merger between Sprint and T-Mobile
The Department of Justice has officially approved the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, marking a significant step forward in the proposed $26 billion deal. T-Mobile and Sprint still have an uphill battle ahead of them -- 14 states have sued to block the deal.
AT&T will launch yet another streaming service, and we’re utterly confused
If three's a crowd, four must be just right -- at least if you're AT&T. The communications giant will begin trialing a new streaming service dubbed AT&T TV this summer. It's aimed at cord cutters and may use an Android TV box for simpler installations, but beyond that, details are slim.
Justice Department could approve T-Mobile-Sprint merger this week, report says
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the Justice Department could approve the T-Mobile-Sprint merger as soon as this week. The two companies still have an uphill battle ahead of them to get the merger completed, but approval from the Justice Department would be a significant step.
T-Mobile wants to give you a free smartphone when you add a line
Did someone say free smartphones? T-Mobile is offering free smartphones from a select range of affordable phones when a new line is opened on its Magenta tier and above. The phones on offer range from LG to T-Mobile's own, but will also include the new Samsung Galaxy A10e after July 26.
AT&T accused of selling customers’ location data to bounty hunters and stalkers
AT&T was hit with a lawsuit Tuesday accusing it of selling customers’ real-time location data to third parties like credit agencies and bail guarantors, along with bounty hunters and stalkers, without having customer consent.
An unknown number of Sprint customers had their personal info stolen by hackers
Some Sprint users had their information hacked from the Samsung.com “add a line” website, according to a letter Spring sent to impacted customers. Sprint said that they were informed of the unauthorized access on June 22.
People are buying 5G phones when they don’t even have 5G
When it comes to highly-touted tech like 5G and the myriad of improvements it may offer our lives, we want the future here now, and not a minute later. Smartphone sales tell the same story, with three out of five cities selling the most 5G units without yet supporting the service.
Samsung, T-Mobile to recycle an old phone for every S10e sold in the Netherlands
Tackling the mountain of e-waste not recycled in Africa, Dutch company Closing the Loop has persuaded Samsung, T-Mobile, and the Dutch government to try out an offsetting scheme that sees a scrap phone properly recycled for every new phone purchased. It's a first step toward greater sustainability.
Don’t want a smartphone? Alcatel’s latest is a flip phone exclusive to Verizon
Verizon has added the Alcatel Go Flip V to its basic phone lineup, a $100 device which is exclusive to Big Red. This is the second of two Alcatel devices ever to launch on Verizon as a broader effort on Alcatel's part to wade into the U.S. market. The Go Flip V is a flip phone without smart features.