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.
Amazon adds a color-changing, eye-saving screen to the high-end Kindle Oasis
Amazon has revealed the new Kindle Oasis ebook reader range for 2019. The refreshed range includes mostly the same specs as the previous version, but now boasts a screen with an adjustable color tone, making it easier to stay up all night reading. Not that we needed much of an excuse anyway.
Report finds Apple routinely favors its own apps in App Store searches
According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Apple routinely ranks its own apps higher than those of competitors in the App Store, despite the fact that competitors' apps are often more popular. The report highlights that Apple could be considered to be operating a monopoly in the App Store.
Note 10 dummies give us our best look yet at Samsung’s controversial changes
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is on the way and it seems it won't be alone. There are a lot of changes planned for the Note 10 and Note 10 Pro, and some of the largest have been shown off in two new leaked dummies of the phones, including a new design, and the lack of a long-loved, fan-favorite feature.
Huawei is secretly helping build North Korea’s wireless network, report says
Tensions between Chinese mobile giant Huawei and the U.S. are likely to rise even higher after a report that the company has allegedly been secretly working with the Chinese firm to build and maintain North Korea's commercial wireless network.
Honor puts a shiny target on the back of its desirable new 9X phones
Honor has announced the Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro. The two new phones have currently been unveiled only in China, but the company often goes on to release its new devices internationally. The midrange devices stand out due to a bezel-less screen and a pop-up camera, plus Huawei’s new Kirin 810 processor.
Huawei’s blacklisted status contributes to more 5G decision delays in the U.K.
The decision over which companies will be involved in creating the U.K.’s burgeoning 5G network has been delayed again, and Huawei's presence on the U.S. Entity List is partly to blame. The government has said it is in the process of a complete network supply chain review, with an emphasis on security.
Apple is reportedly about to buy Intel’s modem business
According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Apple could be within a week of buying out Intel's 5G modem business, which would give Apple at least some of the intellectual property and staff required to develop its own modems for future iPhones. The deal is reportedly valued at $1 billion.
Apple’s iOS 12.4 brings back Walkie-Talkie, makes improvements to Apple News+
Apple has finally taken the wraps off of iOS 12.4, bringing with it a number of tweaks to Apple News and Apple News+, plus the reinstatement of the Walkie-Talkie feature on the Apple Watch, which was disabled following the discovery of a security flaw. iOS 12.4 doesn't seem to include Apple Card yet.
Leak shows Android running on purported Nokia feature phone
It looks like there's a Nokia feature phone running a modified version of Android, complete with Google Voice Search, YouTube, and all. 9to5Google received a photo via an anonymous tip, and it appears to show what could be a market-changing collaboration between Google and HMD Global.
The Pixel 4 may have face-sensing tech that goes beyond the iPhone XS
It doesn't take long for a smartphone to age, and though the Pixel 3 is barely out, the Pixel 4 is on the way. It may be packing some new tech for Google too, and leaked screen protectors are implying Google's next flagship will have face-sensing tech that's beyond even Apple's iPhone XS.
Apple’s slick, smooth iPad Pro screen tech may come to 2020 iPhone
The screen technology which makes Apple’s iPad Pro such a viewing pleasure may come to the 2020 iPhone. Apparently, Apple is talking to screen suppliers about introducing a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a benefit we’ve been enjoying on not only the iPad Pro, but also on several smartphones recently too.
Asus ROG Phone 2: Here’s everything you need to know about it
Asus has announced a sequel to the ROG Phone (that stands for Republic of Gamers, for those new to the company's gaming brand) called the ROG Phone 2, and it's a massively powerful, giant-sized mobile gaming monster. The phone is due to launch in China on July 23, and the rest of the world from early September.
Tinder tries to break up with the Google Play Store with new payment process
Tinder launched a new payment process that allows the dating app to bypass the fees collected by the Google Play Store. Unlike other apps and services that have worked around app store fees through other methods, Tinder remains listed while in open defiance of the requirements of the Google Play Store.
Android will soon monitor battery of wireless earbuds, find them if they get lost
Google will soon roll out new features that will improve Android support for true wireless earbuds. The planned features include the ability to monitor the charge of the wireless earbuds and their case, compatibility with the Find My Device app and website, and an enhanced details page in Android Q.
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.
Samsung’s latest RAM chips can move data superfast on your next-gen smartphone
Samsung just announced its fastest RAM chips yet, boasting 44 GB/s transfer speeds with LPDDR5 technology on a 10-nm process. These 12-gigabyte monsters are meant to take 5G and A.I. to the next level on your next-gen phone, with 30% better efficiency and 1.3 times faster speeds than current high-end phones
Worried about how FaceApp is using your photos? Here’s how to delete your data
Are you concerned about how FaceApp is using your photos? If so, there's a way to remove your data from the app. FaceApp now says it will delete user data upon request, but it's already facing a major backlog.
Miss physical keyboards? Unihertz is creating a rugged phone that has one
Nothing beats the feeling of a real keyboard, but only BlackBerry's phones have been scratching that itch. Not any more. Chinese manufacturer Unihertz is preparing to launch the Unihertz Titan -- a rugged phone with a built-in physical keyboard that'll let you keep on tapping in the worst conditions.
Uber’s in-car shopping service now sells way more than just snacks
The Cargo Box launched in 2018 to offer Uber drivers an easy way to sell snacks and drinks to riders. The service is now expanding to include lots more items, including tech products and travel accessories. With each purchase, riders receive 10% back in Uber Cash, while drivers receive a commission.
Stalking apps: Google deletes 7 Android trackers from the Play Store
Google has removed from the Play Store seven stalking apps that let a snoop track someone's phone without them knowing about it. The sneaky software also offers access to a handset’s contact list, as well as its SMS and call history. Such apps are sometimes used by abusive partners or dodgy employers, among others.
It’s World Emoji Day! Here are the emojis coming to Android and iPhone this year
It's World Emoji Day! Google and Apple are celebrating by releasing sneak previews of the new emojis that they're bringing to their respective platforms in the next year. With new inclusions for those with disabilities and new gender-neutral options, here some of the new emojis you can expect to see.
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.
HMD’s Nokia 2.2 is now available in the U.S., and it’s slated to get Android Q
HMD Global's Nokia 2.2 is yet another ultra-affordable phone from the company that's making its way to the U.S. The device offers a modern bezel-less design, and HMD Global said it will get Android Q, the next version of Android that's set to launch in August.
Xfinity Mobile customers can now bring their own Android device to the carrier
Xfinity Mobile, a free cellular carrier service for Xfinity internet customers, has added the Samsung Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, S8, S8 Plus, Note 9 and Note 8 to its Bring Your Own Device program -- the first Android devices to be supported. It's an even more compelling option for those using Xfinity Internet.
Nomad’s new Kevlar cables are seriously tough and seriously fast
Smartphone charging cables can take a battering during everyday life, so why not consider investing in a tougher, more durable cable? Nomad has just released an update to its super-tough Kevlar range of cables to include a new USB-C to Lightning cable and a blisteringly fast 100W USB-C cable.
Visible is giving away the iPhone 7 for $100 and Moto G7 Power for $50
Visible has announced a few awesome new deals on some great phones, including the Apple iPhone 7 and the Motorola Moto G7 Power. Both phones are available for $100 off, bringing the iPhone 7's price down to $100, and the Moto G7 Power's to $50 -- a pair of very impressive discounts.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 Plus brings a performance boost to flagship phones
Qualcomm is giving a modest performance boost to the Snapdragon 855. The company has taken the wraps off of the new Snapdragon 855 Plus, which offers a few new features over the original Snapdragon 855, and will likely power many of the best Android flagship phones over the next few months.
Chess grandmaster accused of using smartphone to cheat during contest
Chess grandmaster Igors Rausis has been accused of using his smartphone to cheat during a chess tournament in France on Friday. Images circulated on social media claim to show the player using his phone for assistance during Friday's game, prompting Rausis to withdraw from the contest.
Apple investigates report of an iPhone 6 exploding while in hands of girl, 11
Apple is investigating a reported incident of an iPhone 6 explosion in California, with the device said to have sent out sparks while it was in the hands of an 11-year-old girl. The reason behind the iPhone bursting into flames is still unknown, and Apple has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
Apple backs down, returns parental control app OurPact to App Store
Controversial parental control app OurPact has returned to the iOS App Store. In April this year, Apple removed a number of parental control apps which used a technology called Mobile Device Management that allows access to user location, app use, email accounts, camera permissions, and browsing history.
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.
Huawei says promises to ease restrictions haven’t changed the situation yet
Huawei says it has not seen any positive changes to the restrictions placed on it, despite words to the contrary from the U.S. recently. The comment comes a few weeks after Trump told reporters that he would allow U.S. companies to sell equipment to Huawei again, but only under certain circumstances.
No, the Pixel 4’s bezels are not a major crime against smartphone design
Leaks have shown us what the Google Pixel may look like from the front, and the bezels around the screen have sent the masses into a panic, claiming the design is outdated and ugly. Except it's not. We've been slowly conditioned to think this. Here's why.