Skip to main content

Get (sort of) unlimited data with Verizon’s new PopData, but use it quickly

verizon prepaid plans trade in otterbox
Jonathan Weiss/123RF
How much data can you use in half an hour or an hour? That may just be your next challenge from Verizon. The mobile service provider has unveiled a new series of data sessions known as PopData, which allow you to access unlimited amounts of 4G LTE data … for 30 or 60 minutes at a time.

Described as an “all-you-can-stream data connection,” PopData is available wherever there’s network capacity. For $2, you can get unlimited data for 30 minutes, and for $3, you can go all out for an hour. PopData promises to be available wherever network capacity is available, and you’ll see charges reflected directly on your account.

Because the new program is powered by the Verizon network, it’s likely that you’ll have better luck using PopData than trying to log onto public Wi-Fi hot spots. Of course, you could try to find your way into a Starbucks, but if you’re in a pinch and need to get online quickly, PopData may be the way to go, especially if you’re looking to perform heavy data usage tasks, like streaming video or uploading large files.

Verizon is currently offering up PopData as an economical alternative to draining your data plan (because remember, it doesn’t actually offer unlimited data).

So how do you actually use it? As Verizon notes in its FAQ, simply navigate your way over to the My Verizon app Feed, tap Data Meter, then Get More Data, and finally, PopData. If PopData isn’t available (if there’s not a 4G LTE connection), the PopData option will be grayed out. Once you begin your data session, you’ll receive a notification alerting you as to when your time is up, and giving you a five-minute warning before the session concludes, too.

Sure, it’s not actually unlimited data from Verizon, but for now, it’s about as close as you’re going to get.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 13
Official OnePlus 13 product renders showing rear panel colors.

OnePlus is an excellent brand that offers powerful flagship phones at a great value compared to some of its competitors. We followed every rumor about the OnePlus 13 for months, but now it's here — and it's everything we hoped for. It might not be available in the Western market yet, but it will be soon.

So, what makes the OnePlus 13 so special? Here's everything you need to know about OnePlus' latest flagship.
When is the OnePlus 13 being released?

Read more
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9400: the race is on
Comparison of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processors.

The flagship mobile silicon race has entered its next phase, one that will dictate the trajectory of Android hardware heading into 2025. Merely weeks after MediaTek wowed us with the Dimensity 9400 system on a chip (SoC), Qualcomm also pulled a surprise with the reveal of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

But this time around, the battle is not as straightforward. Where MediaTek is working closely with Arm and adopting its latest CPU and graphics innovations, Qualcomm has firmly put its faith in custom cores. These are no ordinary cores, but a next-gen iteration of the same fundamental tech stack that powers Windows on ARM laptops.

Read more
Discolored line on your new Kindle? You aren’t alone
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition on a table.

The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is the first full-color e-reader, and a lot of bookworms couldn't wait to get their hands on it. Sadly, many people are reporting the display has a discolored yellow area at the bottom of the screen. The problem is so widespread that the Kindle Colorsoft dropped to an average review rating of 2.6 out of 5, although it does remain the bestselling e-book reader at the moment.

The cause of the discoloration isn't clear. Some users report that it only happens when using the edge lighting feature on the Kindle, while others say it appeared after a software update. Either way, the yellowing is a problem, especially on a device that Amazon has marketed as being great for comics and graphic novel fans. It's hard to enjoy the colorwork in a comic when it's distorted.

Read more