Home

News New Phones  

Qualcomm Expands Snapdragon 8 Series to Cover More Price Points

Yesterday, 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.

continued ▻


Google Schedules I/O 2024 for May 14th

Thursday, 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

Thursday, 11:15 AM   by Rich Brome   updated Thursday, 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.

continued ▻


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.


Google Brings Wallet Passes, Transit Directions to Wear OS

Feb 26, 2024, 10:41 AM   by Rich Brome

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 "boarding passes, event tickets, gym memberships, loyalty cards and more". For people who have many such cards, some can be hidden, so that the ones you use most often can be accessed without excessive swiping. Wear OS also now supports transit directions, including trip by bus, train, or ferry. "Look up departure times right from your smartwatch, then get compass-guided navigation directions to your destination."


Google Brings AI to Messaging in Android

Feb 26, 2024, 10:12 AM   by Rich Brome

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 actions you can take with a single tap – helping you navigate to an address, make a call, or share your ETA when someone asks for it." This feature is rolling out starting today. Separately, the Messages app for Android now lets you Chat with Gemini, where you can have a conversation with Google's new AI chatbot as if it were a person in your contacts. You can even send it photos as part of your conversation. The feature includes thumbs-up and thumbs-down feedback buttons to help Google improve Gemini, and a "Report legal issue" button. This feature is only available to users enrolled in the messages beta channel and only to adults 18 and older. For now it only supports English, and French in Canada.


Qualcomm's Next Modems Will Support Standards-Based Satellite Service and UWB

Feb 26, 2024, 7:00 AM   by Rich Brome

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, which offers satellite service in cellular dead zones using the 3GPP release 17 NB-NTN standard and existing satellites from multiple companies. This represents an abrupt change in strategy after Qualcomm tried and failed to launch its own satellite service with Iridium last year. The X80 is also the first 5G modem to support six carrier aggregation (6xCA) and the first to support 6 cellular antennas (6xRx) in a smartphone. The X80 also has 30% better location (GPS) accuracy compared to it predecessor. The X80 expands the use of AI in the modem to improve data speeds, latency, quality of service (QoS), coverage, location accuracy, spectrum efficiency, power efficiency, and multi-antenna management. The FastConnect 7900 for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is the first such solution from Qualcomm to integrate Ultra Wideband (UWB), a technology that usually requires a separate chip. UWB is used for "proximity experiences such as digital key, object finding and indoor navigation." Uniquely, the 7900 can combine UWB with Wi-Fi Ranging and Bluetooth Channel Sounding for improved proximity performance. The 7900 supports Wi-Fi 7 and introduces a new AI function that optimizes for Wi-Fi latency vs. power usage by analyzing workload and context. This improves power efficiency up to 30%. It also supports XPAN, Qualcomm's unique new technology that can route audio connections over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. Both the Snapdragon X80 and FastConnect 7900 are expected to ship in the second half of 2024.


TCL Shares Pricing for 50 Series

Feb 26, 2024, 7:00 AM   by Rich Brome

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 models with TCL's unique matte NXTPAPER display be available in North America from tcl.com in the third quarter. The higher-end 50 XL NXTPAPER 5G will sell for "under $229" while the 50 XE NXTPAPER 5G will cost "under $199". TCL was less specific about the TCL 50 XE 5G, saying only that it will come to North America in Q3 for "under $149". The 4G-only TCL 50 LE "will be arriving later this year for around $99".


Qualcomm Aims for Sub-$100 5G Phones

Feb 26, 2024, 7:00 AM   by Rich Brome

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 rely on 4G networks for some functions. Most 5G NSA networks are being upgraded to 5G SA. These phones would also reduce costs by utilizing only two cellular antennas instead of the usual four. Presumably this strategy involves a new modem chip(set) that Qualcomm has yet to announce.


Motorola to Seamlessly Link Phones with Lenovo Laptops and Tablets

Feb 25, 2024, 6:00 PM   by Rich Brome

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 phone. Swipe to stream lets you move a video stream or podcast to a different device and pick up right where you left off. Notification sync puts your notifications on all of your devices. Share hub lets you "access and share large files across connected devices without taking up tons of storage." Smart clipboard lets you copy and paste across devices. Webcam lets you use the superior camera on your smartphone for video calls or livestreams on another device like a laptop or PC. Smart Connect will be available "in the coming months".

Subscribe to news with RSS Subscribe to new phones with RSS Follow @phonescoop on Threads Follow @phonescoop on Mastodon Phone Scoop on Facebook Follow on Instagram

 

Playwire

All content Copyright 2001-2024 Phone Factor, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Content on this site may not be copied or republished without formal permission.