News
Charter to Merge with Cox
Charter and Cox have announced plans to merge, creating a new, larger cable and internet company. Both companies also offer mobile service for their customers as a bundle offering. The new company will officially be called Cox, but it will adopt Charter's Spectrum brand for consumer-facing services. This will make Spectrum Mobile the new mobile brand for customers of both companies. The merger is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.
Qualcomm Upgrades its Affordable-Flagship Snapdragon Chipset
Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform, a replacement for its existing Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip for high-end (but not quite top-end) phones. The new Gen 4 chip offers a 65% improvement in AI performance, 30% faster graphics (GPU) renderings, and 27% better general compute (CPU) performance. The chip also brings several advanced features from the 8 series to the 7 series for the first time, including XPAN Wi-Fi audio technology and on-device stable diffusion generative AI for images. The new chip also improves low-light photography and supports both Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. The first phones using Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 are expected to be announced later this month.
Google "Find Hub" Replaces Find My Device
Google is revamping its find-my-device services into a new Find Hub. The new features will be able to find a lost Android device, or anything with a Google-compatible Bluetooth tracker attached. It can also be used to keep to share your location with family and friends. It's also gaining support for UWB (for high-end phones with that feature). Motorola's Bluetooth trackers will be the first to work with UWB. This feature lets you locate your lost item very precisely — including not just proximity but direction — when nearby. Finally, Google is working to integrate satellite connectivity into Find Hub, "helping you stay connected with friends and family even when you don’t have cellular connectivity."
5G Phones get More Affordable with TCL K32 5G on Metro
The "sub-$100" 5G phone that TCL promised at CES in January has arrived on US shelves with its launch on Metro by T-Mobile. Although Metro lists the full price as $119.99, many customers may be able to get the phone for free, through various promotions. Regardless, the phone marks a new milestone in the affordability of 5G phones in the US. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chip, which was specifically created to enable more-affordable 5G phones such as this one. The K32 5G has a large 5,010 mAh battery and large 6.7-inch HD+ display. Other specs are entry-level, as expected, including a 13-megapixel camera, 5-megapixel front camera, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage. It does have a memory card slot and 3.5mm headset jack.
Apple Intros New Accessibility Apps, Plus Accessibility "Labels" in App Store
As it does every May for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple has announced a number of new accessibility apps, features, and initiatives. Apple's App Store listings will now include "Accessibility Nutrition Labels", showing which major accessibility features each app supports. This includes VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Apple is also introducing Braille Access, a Braille "experience" that can be used to take notes, perform calculations, read books, transcribe conversations, and launch other apps. Accessibility Reader is a new iOS feature "designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision". It gives users "extensive options" for how text is displayed in any app, as well as text in the real world via the Magnifier app and iPhone camera. Apple is also adding many smaller new features across its existing accessibility features, such as Head Tracking, adding new gestures to control your phone, and Name Recognition, "a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called."
Samsung Fully Reveals 5.8mm-Thick Galaxy S25 Edge
After a brief tease in January, Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy S25 Edge, its thinnest flagship phone to date. A titanium body and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 help allow the phone to be just 5.8mm thick. The phone naturally has a smaller battery at just 3,900 mAh, but it does have fast wired and wireless charging. The phone otherwise maintains flagship specs from the S25 series, including the top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, 200 megapixel main camera with OIS, and 12 megapixel ultra-wide camera. Further specs include a 6.7-inch OLED display with QHD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh, 12 GB of RAM, and IP68 dust and water rating. Color choices include Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack and Titanium Icyblue. The phone will be priced starting at $1,099, going on sale May 30. Pre-orders are open now, and include a free upgrade from 256 to 512 GB of storage.
Google Expands Scam Detection on Android Using AI
Google is adding new types of scam detection and protection using on-device AI on Android. Android can already detect scams in progress and warn users in phone calls and messages. Now, the Chrome browser can detect scam-related notifications from web sites. Soon, Google also plans to apply this type of scam detection to whole web sites in Chrome. Google is already rolling this feature out to the desktop version of Chrome, but says "Our goal is to expand this protection to Android devices and even more types of scams in the future."
Android's New Design Guidelines Leaked
Google seems to have accidentally, prematurely published a blog post about its new "Material 3 Expressive" design guidelines for Android. The new templates feature a bolder design with floating toolbars, larger buttons, more color, and more varied shapes and fonts. These guidelines are used by Google for Android itself and its own Google apps, but are also suggested for third-party app developers. Google says the new system is the fruit of extensive research, including "46 separate research studies with hundreds of designs, and more than 18,000 participants from around the world". Google claims multiple benefits, including users being able to perform certain actions up to 4x faster, as well as strong user preference (vs. Apple's iOS Human Interface Guidelines) and "brand coolness".
Samsung Wallet Will Let You Tap Phones to Pay a Friend
Later this month, an update to Samsung Wallet will enable direct peer-to-peer (P2P) cash payments between Samsung phones. The feature requires that both phones have a Visa or Mastercard debit card stored in their Wallet, and moves money directly from one bank account to another, via those debit cards. The transaction can be initiated via NFC — by tapping phones together — or remotely, using a phone number to look up the other person's Samsung account. Someone with a Samsung phone can also send money to someone without one by tapping the recipient's physical debit card to the phone. Apple has a somewhat similar feature called Tap To Cash, although it has its own Apple Cash wallet balance, instead of being tied to bank accounts via debit cards. Google Pay used to offer P2P payments, but discontinued that service last year.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of iOS Developers
Following a judge's ruling last week that Apple has been in contempt of an earlier injunction ruling regarding its App Store fees, law firm Hagens Berman has started a class-action lawsuit on behalf of iOS developers. "The lawsuit’s named plaintiff is Pure Sweat Basketball Inc., a corporation offering an app used by players across the country to train and improve their basketball skills. Had Apple complied with the injunction, as required, Pure Sweat would have been able to sell subscriptions to its app directly to its customers, using 'link-out' buttons directing customers to Pure Sweat's own website." This significantly impacted Pure Sweat's revenue. The firm estimates that more than 100,000 app developers may have experienced similar harm and may be eligible to join the lawsuit. Apple is appealing the judge's recent contempt ruling, but has already changed its App Store policies in the US to comply.
Apple Updates App Store Rules in US to Comply with Court Order, Developers React
Apple has officially updated its rules and practices for its App Store in the US to allow commission-free third-party payments. This follows a court order on Wednesday demanding such. Apple will no longer demand a cut of payments made through non-Apple systems. Apple will also stop requiring a special "entitlement" approval for in-app links to other payment methods, and will remove other restrictions on such links. These changes only apply in the US. The court case in question was filed by Epic Games, which has promised to bring its Fortnite game back to the Apple App Store soon as a result. Spotify has already updated its app to reflect the changes, showing clear subscription pricing and payment links in its iOS app for the first time. Patreon is also working to update its app in response.
Apple Reprimanded for Illegally Taking a Cut of Third-Party Payments
In the ongoing saga of the Epic Games v. Apple legal case over Apple's App Store fees and rules, the judge has ordered Apple to immediately stop collecting fees on purchases made outside of apps. Further, Apple is no longer allowed to restrict how apps point users to third-party payment options. The judge had already issued injunctions to this effect as long ago as 2021, but Apple's selective interpretation of its obligations amounts to "willful" non-compliance, according to the judge. So much so that the judge has requested that the case be reviewed for possible criminal contempt proceedings. Apple said it would comply, but appeal. Epic Games responded that it will bring its Fortnite game back to Apple's App Store "next week".
Android Now Supports Digital Credentials Among Apps and Websites
Google announced that the Credential Manager component of Android now supports the OpenID4 industry standard for digital credentials. Android's implementation extends existing digital state ID technology to the whole Android ecosystem, allowing any Android app to issue a digital credential to one or more wallet apps, and any app or web site to request a verifiable credential. The Android OS will now manage such requests with a new interface that lets a user choose among matching credential types from across all installed wallet apps. These credential types can include not just state IDs, but education certifications, insurance policies, memberships, permits, loyalty programs, and more. Companies and apps already onboard include CVS, MyChart by Epic, Uber, Bumble, Samsung Wallet, 1Password, and, of course, Google Wallet.
FCC Cracking Down on Another Loophole Used by Robocallers
The FCC is proposing that all phone calls within the US must maintain caller ID authentication info even when passing through non-IP networks. This will will close a key loophole used by malicious robocallers to disguise their identity and avoid detection. There are three technical proposals to meet this new requirement, two of which the FCC is giving its blessing to, and a third it is still accepting comment on. Most voice traffic moves through IP-based networks, and the FCC has already implemented rules requiring "STIR/SHAKEN" caller ID authentication for that traffic, one of many steps the FCC has taken in the last decade to tackle the scourge of malicious robocalls and scam calls.
Google Improves Age Verification in Google Wallet
Google is rolling out new features in Wallet that make it easier for web sites and apps to verify minimum age in a way that preserves user privacy. The features are tied to digital ID cards, and implement Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a best-practice privacy technology.
Nothing Debuts CMF Phone 2 Pro
Nothing has revealed the CMF Phone 2 Pro, its second phone under its CMF (Color, Material, Finish) sub-brand. Unlike the first CMF phone, this model has decent support for key US network frequency bands (4G and 5G). However, Nothing is still selling the phone in the US as a "test device" under its "beta program", which requires that the customer provide feedback to Nothing, and the phone only carries a 14-day warranty. The phone does have a distinctive design, and offers impressive specs given its $279 price. These include a 6.77" FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh and HDR10+, 5,000 mAh battery, 33W fast charging, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, 50 megapixel main camera, 50 megapixel 2x tele camera, 8 megapixel wide camera, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, fingerprint reader, and IP54 dust/water rating. Screws on the back serve as attachment points for accessories. A dedicated "Essential Key" on the side provides quick access to screenshots and voice memos. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in orange, black, or white. Pre-orders start today, with shipments starting May 7.
T-Mobile Launches 5G Advanced
T-Mobile announced that it is the first US carrier to roll out new 5G technologies from the 3GPP release 18 standard (also known as 5G Advanced) nationwide. This includes new low-latency technology such as Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S), which will improve responsiveness for applications such as gaming, AR/VR, XR, and video calls / conferencing. Another new feature is 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), which simplifies the 5G standard in ways that make 5G practical for devices like smartwatches and IoT devices. 5G Advanced also brings enhanced location precision features. 5G Advanced brings a long list of other, smaller improvements to the 5G standard in areas like network slicing. Carriers can choose which features to implement on their network, and indeed T-Mobile says it is "blending elements from Releases 17 and 18".
Boost is the Third US Carrier to Offer a TCL NXTPAPER Phone
Boost is now offering the TCL 50 XL NXTPAPER 5G, with TCL's unique "NXTPAPER" matte-finish display technology. Spectrum and C Spire also offer NXTPAPER phones.
Verizon Dedicates 5G Network Capacity to First Responders
Verizon is rolling out network slicing — a new technology introduced with 5G — for first responders, starting with 30 markets around the country. This will give first responders a certain amount of guaranteed network access no matter how busy the network gets. Verizon can also adjust the slice "in real-time based on the operational needs of first responders." Verizon calls this service "the Verizon Frontline Network Slice". T-Mobile rolled out a similar offering last September. The 30 markets include Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Tampa, and more.
Hands On with the 2025 Moto razr Lineup
Motorola has new razr flip foldable phones for 2025, and this year there are three — including, perhaps for the first time — a truly flagship-class model. They have a whole lot in common with last year's models, and in fact are difficult to tell apart from the old models, and even from each other. But they have interesting new colors, materials, and textures, and some updates to both the hardware and software. The most important part — the hinge — is a an all-new design in all three. Of course, they're loaded up with more AI features than ever. What else should you know? What are they like in person? Read on for our hands-on report.
Moto Intros razr Ultra, its New Flagship Foldable
Motorola has introduced a fully flagship-level foldable phone with the new razr Ultra. It borrows its design from the existing razr+, with the only obvious external difference being a new AI button on the side, and new finish options including brushed metal sides and real wood (shown) or Alcantara synthetic suede on the back. The specs have all been bumped up compared to the razr+, including the top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16 GB of RAM, up to 1 TB of storage, brighter and sharper (Super HD) main display, larger 4,700 mAh battery, faster 68W wired charging, faster 30W wireless charging, and triple 50 megapixel cameras (including a main with a top-end Sony sensor, a wide-angle, and the inner camera). Motorola also introduced 2025 versions of the razr and razr+, although they have minimal changes compared to the 2024 models. The razr has a slightly updated processor, and all three models have new titanium hinge mechanism that Motorola claims is 4x stronger. On the software side, Motorola has updated its Moto AI to include multiple chatbots, including Meta Llama, Google Gemini, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot. Meta's Llama can run on-device to power privacy-sensitive AI features of Moto AI, like "Catch Me Up", which summarizes your notifications. The new razr models launch in mid-May. Both T-Mobile and AT&T will offer the new razr+ and razr Ultra. Just about every US carrier except AT&T will offer the more-affordable razr 2025. The razr Ultra will retail for $1300, the razr+ for $1000, and the razr for $700.
Hands On with Anker's Largest "Pocket Size" Power Bank
Anker is well-known for phone chargers, "power bank" battery-powered portable chargers, and charging cables. They have a new flagship power bank for phones — and even larger devices like tablets and laptops — that looks compelling. It has a 9,600 mAh capacity, enough to charge your phone twice, or top up both your phone and laptop. It can charge at up to 65W, which is very fast. It has two USB-C ports, for output or input. And it has a handy flip-out plug for charging it from a wall socket. It also has a full-color display and some configurable settings. We check it out in this quick hands-on report.
TSMC Unveils New, Industry-Leading Chip-Making Process
TSMC has announced its next microchip manufacturing process "node", which it calls A14, equivalent to a 1.4-namometer (nm) scale. Compared to its N2 (2nm) process — entering volume production later this year — A14 "will offer up to 15% speed improvement at the same power, or up to 30% power reduction at the same speed, along with more than 20% increase in logic density." N2, in turn, offers similar performance improvements compared to the 3nm process used for chips in today's flagship phones. TSMC specifically named smartphones as one of the leading applications for the new A14 process. TSMC says A14 development is going smoothly and even ahead of schedule. It plans to enter production with A14 in 2028.
Xfinity Mobile Upgrades Plans, Offers Free Year on Second Line
Xfinity Mobile has launched a new premium plan and added new deals that apply to all plans. The new Unlimited Premium plan replaces Unlimited Plus at the same $50/month price for the first line ($30/month for additional lines). This plan now includes unlimited data instead of 50 GB, 30 GB of high-speed hotspot data instead of 15, and 4K video instead of HD. Xfinity is also adding twice-a-year phone upgrades worth up to $830 with eligible trade-in, as well as spam call blocking. As always, Xfinity Mobile service is only available to customers of Xfinity home internet service. Xfinity is also offering new and existing customers a whole year of Unlimited plan service for free on a second line. For new customers, one line would be full-price and the second one free for a year. For existing customers, the free year is on a new extra line. With this deal, customers can also choose Unlimited Premium on the new second line for just $10/month for a year. Finally, for new customers, Xfinity has also launched a new Device Contract Buyout program offering up to $500 per line when switching from another carrier but still paying off a phone.
Metro's New, Simpler Plans are Mostly a Better Deal
Metro by T-Mobile has rolled out new service plans, with some improving in value. At the low end, the company keeps a Starter plan with 10 GB of high-speed data for $40 (with auto-pay, $5 extra in the first month), taxes and fees included. The only change with the Starter plan is that — like the new T-Mobile plans announced today — all of the new plans come with a five-year price lock guarantee. (However, this guarantee only covers "the price of talk, text and data", so other plan details could potentially change.) Metro's main "Flex" plans are being simplified from three plans that run $50–70/month (for a single line) to just two plans, at $50 or $60 per month. The new Flex Unlimited is the same $50/month price as the old Flex Start plan and has most of the same features, such as "unlimited" data, 8 GB of hotspot data, Scam Shield, and 100 GB of free storage with Google One. New is regular phone upgrades via trade-in, plus the price guarantee. The premium Flex Unlimited Plus plan replaces Flex Plus, priced at $60/month instead of $70, while adding HD video. It also includes everything in the old Flex Plus plan, such as 25 GB of hotspot data, international texting, and Amazon Prime included. Of course it also includes the new phone upgrade program and price guarantee. Multi-line discounts are available. For example, for a family of four, the Flex Unlimited Plus is $35/month/line. A new plan exclusively for new customers switching to Metro is the Starter Plus plan, which is $40/month for a single line. Uniquely, this price does not require auto-pay. It does include "unlimited" 5G data, a major perk over the regular $40/month Starter plan. Also, this plan features multi-line discounts, as low as $25/month/line for four lines. Metro is also keeping and even expanding its $25/month bring-your-own-device (BYOD) plans for new customers. (That price requires auto-pay.) These plans include unlimited data if the customer ports over their existing phone number, and 10 GB data if they do not. All of Metro's "unlimited" data plans have the footnote "you may notice slower speeds when our network is busy" after using 35 GB in a month.
T-Mobile Simplifies Plans
T-Mobile is eliminating two of its cheaper service plans: Essentials Saver and Go5G, while replacing Go5G Plus with Experience More, and replacing the top-end Go5G Next with Experience Beyond. The existing Essentials plan remains unchanged, and becomes the company's new cheapest plan at $60/month for a single line. (The old Essentials Saver was $50/month.) The new Experience More plan is $85/month for a single line — compared to $90 for Go5G Plus — but taxes and fees are no longer included. T-Mobile is also boosting high-speed mobile hotspot data from 50 GB to 60 GB, and promising a five-year price lock. (The price lock applies to "the price of their talk, text and data", implying that other plan features could change.) Otherwise, Experience More is the same as the Go5G Plus plan it replaces. The new top-end plan is Experience Beyond, which carries the same $100 price as the old Go5G Next, but, again, taxes and fees are no longer included. It does greatly increase the high-speed data allotments for hotspot (now 250 GB) and international (30 GB in North America; 15 GB in the rest of the world). T-Mobile is also now extending its "third line free" deal to this top-end plan, and offering the same five-year price lock guarantee. Both "Experience" plans keep key features of the old premium plans like unlimited premium data, regular phone upgrades, unlimited talk and text in North America, some high-speed international data, and free in-flight Wi-Fi with select airlines. T-Mobile is also including its new satellite coverage service with the top-end plan, while Experience More has the service included just through the end of this year. All of these plans offer discounts for additional lines.
Two New "Mindful" Phones Sport E-Paper Displays
This month, both Minimal and Mudita have launched new minimalist phones that are designed to discourage excessive screen time primarily by having the main touch display use e-ink / e-paper display technology, which is typically slow to refresh and does not work well with scrolling. The Mudita Kompakt takes a traditional approach of a custom OS with limited features, including calling, texting, camera, e-reader, and maps. A switch on the side activates "Offline+" mode, which cuts off the cellular modem and microphones at the hardware level. It has a 4.3-inch display, 3,300 mAh battery with up to 6 days of standby battery life, wireless charging, 32 GB of expandable storage, 3.5mm headset jack, 8 megapixel camera, and IP54 dust/water rating. A version specifically for North America will starting shipping in May for $439. The Minimal Phone takes a different approach, with a full version of Android, including Google's Play Store, plus a physical QWERTY keyboard. It also has a 4.3-inch display, 3.5mm headset jack, and expandable storage. Besides the QWERTY keyboard, it also has a touch "navigation bar" between the display and keyboard, plus a 5 megapixel front camera. It also has NFC supporting Google Pay, a 16 megapixel main camera, fingerprint reader in the side lock button, and comes in either 6 / 128 GB or 8 / 256 GB memory configurations. It also ships in May, starting at $399 for pre-orders for a limited time ($499 normally). These phones join the same growing category as the Light Phone III, launched last month.
Meta Disables Apple Intelligence in Facebook and Other Apps
Meta has apparently disabled Apple Intelligence features in Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. This includes writing tools and Genmoji. App developers can opt out of Apple Intelligences for their iOS apps, and Meta appears to have done just that. Meta has been pushing its own AI features in recent years.
Google Rolls Out Free Gemini Live with Vision to All Android Users
Google is expanding the free version of its Gemini AI app for Android to include Gemini Live with camera and screen share. This lets you ask Gemini about anything on your phone's screen, or anything your phone's camera can see.
Chipolo's New Bluetooth Tracker is Cross-Platform
Chipolo has introduced its newest Bluetooth tracking tag: the Chipolo Pop. Following Pebblebee, Chipolo has made its new trackers cross-platform, meaning they work with either Apple Find My or Google's Find My Device network. The Pop has a simple round "chip" design that comes in six colors. They're rated IP55 for splash protection. The CR2032 battery (the same used by Apple AirTags) is user-replaceable and lasts up to one year. They have a range of 300 feet, but can be found globally via either of the Find My networks. Chipolo also offers its own app, which offers features like adjusting the tracker's ringtone, and using the tracker's button to locate your lost phone, or as a remote trigger for your phone's camera. The Chipolo Pop is on sale now for $29, or $89 for four (under $23 each).
Samsung Updates its Rugged Enterprise Phone
Samsung today announced the Galaxy XCover7 Pro, its newest rugged phone targeted at business customers across various industries. Compared to the XCover6 it replaces, it sports a much newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and larger battery at 4,350 mAh. Most other specs are similar, including a waterproof, rugged body, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protecting a 6.6-inch FHD+ display that works with gloves and when wet. It has 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable). It can charge in a dock using POGO pins, and the battery is user-replaceable. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, fingerprint reader, a 50 megapixel main camera, and an 8 megapixel wide-angle camera. It has two programmable shortcut buttons: one on the top and one on the side. It will be available in the US on May 8th.
Smartphones in Limbo Under New Tariff Plans
On Friday, US Customs and Border Patrol issued a notice saying that smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices would be exempt from most new tariffs. By the end of the weekend, the administration started to walk back the exemption, when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick characterized the exemption as only a "temporary reprieve". He indicated that smartphones would be included in new "semiconductor tariffs" coming in "a month or two", adding "These are things that are national security that we need to be made in America."
AT&T Offers Free Pixel Buds with Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a is available starting today from all three major national carriers, as well as US Cellular and Xfinity Mobile. Existing AT&T customers can snag a free pair of Google Pixel Buds A-Series Bluetooth earbuds with their new Pixel 9a when purchased online. New customers can also get the free earbuds, provided they sign up for a postpaid service plan of at least $60.99/month (before Autopay and Paperless Bill discounts). However, AT&T is charging $520 for the Pixel 9a, while Google and all other carriers are charging the originally-announced price of $500. The free earbuds offer is available through April 24.
AT&T Ending Email-to-SMS Service
AT&T has put up a new support page stating that the company will switch off its email-to-text and text-to-email gateway. Currently, people can send an email to an address such as 5551234567@txt.att.net or 5551234567@mms.att.net to send a text message or MMS to any AT&T customer. After June 17, that service will no longer work. AT&T will also be shutting down the corresponding service for Cricket customers. Verizon and T-Mobile offer similar services, and have not announced plans to discontinue them.
This Year's moto g stylus is a Better Value
Motorola has revealed the 2025 edition of the $400 phone in its lineup: the moto g stylus. This year's model supports super-fast 68W charging, up from 30W last year (the 68W charger is sold separately). Motorola claims the 68W charging can give the phone a day's worth of power in just 15 minutes. The 2025 model also adds IP68 waterproofing and military-grade ruggedness ratings. The display is also sharper, with a unique resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels, which Motorola calls "Super HD". The processor has been upgraded to a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, and the Wi-Fi is faster with support for Wi-Fi 6E. Naturally, it has a built-in stylus, which Motorola claims is now 6.4x more responsive. Like last year's model, it has a 50 megapixel main camera with OIS, 13 megapixel wide-angle camera, and 32 megapixel front camera. What looks like a third camera is actually a 3-in-1 light sensor for the camera system. The phone comes with 8 GB RAM and either 128 or 256 GB of storage, with a memory card slot for adding up to 1 TB of storage. It also has a 5,000 mAh battery, wireless charging (15W), and a 3.5mm headset jack. This year's color options are PANTONE Gibraltar Sea (navy) and PANTONE Surf the Web (bright purple). The moto g stylus (2025) will be available unlocked starting at $400 on April 17th. It will also be offered by Metro, Verizon, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, AT&T, Cricket, Spectrum, Consumer Cellular, UScellular, Xfinity Mobile, Google Fi, Optimum, and Boost.
Verizon Promises Free Satellite Text Messaging, 3-Year Price Lock
Verizon today is announcing that all customers on a current myPlan service plan will received guaranteed free satellite text messaging on qualifying devices. The company is also introducing a new three-year price lock guarantee for all myPlan customers. This applies to both new and existing customers, and starts fresh when a customer changes plans.
T-Mobile Drops DEI to Get Deals Approved by FCC
The FCC has approved T-Mobile's deal to effectively acquire fiber-to-the-home provider Lumos. New FCC chair Brendan Carr has publicly threatened to block merger & acquisition deals in telecom with companies that promote DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and opened official FCC probes into DEI programs at both Comcast and Verizon. As recently as March 26th, T-Mobile had a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion page on its public web site; that has now been taken down. On March 27th, Mark Nelson, T-Mobile EVP and General Counsel, sent a letter to the FCC saying "T-Mobile is conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies, programs, and activities." The next day, March 28th, the FCC approved the Lumos deal. T-Mobile and AT&T are also working to gain FCC approval for buying up various parts of US Cellular.
Visible Reshuffles Premium Plans
Visible has tweaked its premium Visible+ plan and added a new, even-more-premium Visible+ Pro plan. (The baseline Visible plan remains unchanged.) The Visible+ plan stays at $35/month (taxes & fees included), but now has unlimited premium 4G and 5G data (including "Ultra Wideband") on Verizon's network, instead of the previous 50 GB/month cap on premium data. It also now includes unlimited data while roaming in Mexico & Canada, instead of the previous cap of 2 GB/day. Streaming video quality also improves to 1080p instead of 720p. However, smartwatch service is no longer included in the Visible+ plan, nor is free international calling and texting. Those perks are now reserved for the new, $45/month Visible+ Pro plan, which also includes even faster mobile hotspot service, 4K streaming video, and two days of Global Pass international roaming per month (instead of just one day/month with the Visible+ plan). Existing customers already on a Visible+ plan will see no changes; they will continue to receive a "legacy" version of the Visible+ plan.
You'll Soon be Able to Set WhatsApp as Your Default Phone & Messaging App on iPhone
In iOS 18.2, Apple added an option to designate a third-party app as the default for calling and/or messaging. Now, third-party apps are starting to support the feature, starting with WhatsApp. The latest beta version of WhatsApp can be set as your default messaging app, default voice calling app, or both. Presumably, the feature will come to the non-beta version of WhatsApp soon. Apple initially developed the feature to appease EU regulators and was expected to limit it to that region, but later rolled out the feature worldwide. It is now part of a whole section in Settings for "Default Apps" that also includes email, Call Filtering, web browser, and Passwords & Codes.
The Minimalist Light Phone III Adds a Camera
The Light Phone III is now available for pre-order. This minimalist phone supports basic phone and text messaging features, but does not support apps, social media, or email. A curated set of essential features is designed with privacy in mind. These includes Directions, for step-by-step navigation via car or public transit, powered by Here. It also includes Directory, for finding basic info about businesses, powered by Google Places. It can also do voice-to-text transcription, powered by Rev.ai. It also supports music, podcasts, a calendar, audio and text notes, a timer, and alarms. Compared to the Light Phone II, the new model adds a simple 50 megapixel camera with dedicated two-stage shutter button, matte OLED display (instead of e-ink), metal frame, USB-C, fingerprint security, flashlight, and 5G. The Directions feature has been revamped to continuously update in real time, taking advantage of the OLED display. 5G is useful for the mobile hotspot feature as well as general future-proofing. It is sold unlocked and supports all three top US networks, (4G and 5G, in almost all frequency bands). The battery is also user-replaceable. Although not enabled at launch, it also has a front-facing camera and NFC hardware, so that a future software update can bring video calling and tap payments. The Light Phone III also sports a clickable, physical scroll wheel on the side. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor and comes with 6 GB RAm and 128 GB storage. It's rated IP54 for dust and water. Its full price is $799, although it's currently available for $599 for a limited time. Pre-orders placed today should ship in July. (Earlier pre-orders will ship sooner.)
More articles in the Archive ›
What do you want to hear about? We're already working on a number of articles for the coming months, but we want to write about the things you're most interested in. So sound off: tell us what you want to know more about!
