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Google Fi adds support for next-gen RCS text messaging
Google is putting its money where its mouth is when coming to support for next-gen texting. It's starting off 2019 by introducing RCS chat to Google Fi. So long as you have a supporting Fi-friendly Android phone (more on that in a bit), you can share higher-quality media, message over WiFi, see who's typing and get message receipts. It'll be automatically enabled if you have a "designed for Fi" phone, and will kick in if you set Google's official Messages app as your default.
AT&T will sever ties with location aggregators as well
Earlier this week, a Motherboard report described just how it easy it was for anyone to get the location of another person's phone. By handing over $300 to a bounty hunter, the publication was able to buy the location of a specific phone, which was accurate to within a few hundred meters. And the process showed just how flawed the data chain is between mobile carriers and the companies they provide location data to. Now, carriers are cutting ties with location aggregators, and AT&T is the latest to announce its plans to do so.
T-Mobile blocks aggregator following customer location tracking scandal
T-Mobile has blocked requests submitted by Zumigo from accessing device location data, according to Gizmodo. The carrier has cut off the controversial company known for being a data aggregator after a Motherboard report revealed that T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint are selling customer data in an unregulated market. T-Mobile also said that it's nearly done cutting ties with third-party data aggregators like it promised to do last year.
It's way too easy for bounty hunters to get your phone location data
Wireless carriers are supposed to keep a tight leash on your location information, but that's not the case in practice. Motherboard has learned that network location data is reaching bounty hunters and others who aren't supposed to have it. Effectively, it's the result of a flawed data chain. Carriers like AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile (more on Engadget's parent Verizon in a bit) are relatively strict, passing their info to data aggregators like Zumigo and requiring consent before those aggregators' clients are allowed to use that data. However, things quickly get out of hand. Third parties like Microbilt have sold that data to everyone from bail bond companies to landlords, and those companies promptly use or resell it without telling the affected people.
Sprint says AT&T is 'blatantly misleading consumers' with fake 5G
Sprint has blasted AT&T after the latter made it seem Android phones on its network are connected to a version of 5G. It updated the LTE icon on the devices to read "5GE" (for "5G Evolution"), but the phones are still using 4G connections. "AT&T is blatantly misleading consumers -- 5GE is not real 5G," Sprint CTO Dr. John Saw said in a statement to Engadget.
Sprint will pay New York $330 million over unpaid taxes
Sprint is about to write New York state a very, very large check. The carrier has agreed to pay New York $330 million in a settlement over claims it avoided collecting certain local and state taxes on cellular plans between 2005 and 2014. It's the largest ever false claims recovery by a single state, the Attorney General's office said. Allegedly, Sprint willfully misinterpreted a 2002 law to skip collecting a key sales tax based on the nature of its plans, leaving New York $100 million short.
AT&T will offer a second Samsung 5G phone next year
In the latest salvo in the carrier one-upmanship tussle, AT&T has revealed it will carry not one, but two 5G Samsung phones next year. The first phone should arrive in the spring, while the second is set to arrive in the back half of 2019. They bring AT&T's tally of 5G devices to three, including a Netgear hotspot.
Sprint and HTC will release a 5G hotspot in 2019
Sprint isn't pinning all its 5G hopes on a single LG smartphone. The carrier has announced plans to release an HTC-made 5G "mobile smart hub" sometime in the first half of 2019. The two are saying precious little about the hotspot device, but it'll use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 modem to provide gigabit-class data speeds (including 'legacy' LTE) to multiple gadgets. In other words, Sprint is following the classic network rollout strategy: it's using a portable router as an interim solution until there are more phones, tablets and PCs with the technology built-in.
Verizon to introduce next-generation RCS texting in 2019
RCS support has been slow to roll out, but another major US carrier will soon jump on board. Verizon announced at an event that the company would support the messaging system in "early 2019," joining Sprint, US Cellular and the limited support currently offered by T-Mobile. While Verizon wouldn't confirm to The Verge that it planned to support Universal Profile 1.0, GSMA told the publication that Verizon's RCS would, and if it does, that will be a significant step towards making RCS the SMS replacement it promises to be. Among its benefits, once adopted by carriers, are read receipts, better group chat support and improved media sending.
Senators want answers from mobile carriers on video app throttling
If you have ever had a suspicion that your carrier might be slowing down your internet speeds while streaming videos, you aren't alone. Three US Senators -- Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) -- are pressing the four major carriers about alleged throttling practices documented on the Wehe testing platform.
Microsoft's Surface Go with LTE will be available November 20th
Microsoft is releasing the LTE version of its 10-inch Surface Go tablet later this month. It will be available in the US and Canada November 20th, and 21 other countries by November 22nd. Preorders open today in some markets.
How to use your existing phone overseas
By Geoffrey Morrison This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full blog here.
Apple iPhone XR pre-orders are now open
Apple opened pre-orders for its more expensive iPhone models shortly after they were announced, leaving the more affordable iPhone XR out of the lineup. Now, you can finally pre-order an iPhone XR if you can't stomach paying a grand for a phone or if you prefer its more colorful options. The device will set you back at least $37.41 per month with the iPhone Upgrade Program, or $749 if you're paying in full, for the 64GB version.
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 hands-on: A Snapdragon-powered Surface rival
Looks like 2018 is the year of the 2-in-1. Just in the last couple of weeks alone, we've seen the launches of detachables like Google's Pixel Slate, Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 and HP's Spectre Folio. Samsung is introducing a new contestant -- the Galaxy Book 2 -- at a New York event today. Don't confuse this with the Galaxy Tab S4 that the company also released this year. That device ran Android, while the Book 2 is a Windows machine.
China accused of planting spy chips in US telecom's network (updated)
Tech giants may have vehemently denied Bloomberg's claims that Super Micro gave them hardware loaded with spy chips, but that isn't stopping fresh allegations. Bloomberg has obtained documents from security researcher Yossi Appleboum that reportedly show evidence of an unnamed major US telecom finding "manipulated hardware" from Super Micro in its network. According to Appleboum, there were "unusual communications" from a server that led the telecom to find an implant hidden in the server's Ethernet jack. The researcher determined that the server had been modified at a factory in Guangzhou after conducting an inspection.
FCC gives cities 90 days to process 5G carrier applications
The FCC is enacting an order that limits how long cities have to review the rollout of 5G and how much they can charge carriers for deploying the technology. Cities will have a 90-day "shot clock" to approve or deny carriers' applications to install small wireless facilities (cell sites that connect your devices to their networks) or 60 days if the companies want to attach 5G equipment to existing infrastructure. If cities can't meet those deadlines, the carriers have grounds to sue.
T-Mobile aims to lower broadband prices with its 5G service
More and more companies are turning to at-home 5G service to fill in the gaps in availability of broadband internet. Now, T-Mobile has revealed details about its plans for at-home 5G service to the FCC, as was first spotted by Fierce Wireless.
Walgreens' and Sprint's partnership expands to Chicago and Dallas
If your options for a new phone are limited by your budget, transportation options or not wanting to sign a contract, an expanded partnership between Sprint and Walgreens could help you out. The pair recently announced that by year's end, between the Chicago and Dallas-Ft. Worth metro areas the there will be some 80 new Sprint Express locations at the corner-store chain. The two promise further details will be announced within the next few months.
Apple iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Watch Series 4 pre-orders are open
Snagging Apple's latest and greatest iPhone costs a bit more than it did in previous years, but some of you early adopters will surely be lined up to secure a device right away. As usual, preorders via Apple and the various wireless carriers will open shortly, at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. Last year the OLED-screened iPhone X quickly sold through its predicted initial shipments, but one would expect that supply will be more predictable this year for iPhone Xs / Xs Max variants (ranging from $999 to $1,449, with shipments beginning in a week) -- if you're hoping for a $740+ iPhone Xr, that won't be ready to pre-order until October 19th, with shipments beginning on the 26th. Whether or not you're upgrading your handset right away, there's also a new wearable to consider, as the Apple Watch Series 4 arrives with the first big change in screen size since the device first appeared in 2015. It's thinner than ever, still available with its own LTE connection and is ready to take both health and fitness more seriously. It's $399 with just WiFi, and $499 with LTE, and like the Xs will start shipping on September 21st. If you're hoping to snag one of the devices, then Apple.com, or, (at least in the US) the websites for carriers like AT&T / Sprint (phone, watch) / T-Mobile / Verizon are good places to start. Apple's Store app can occasionally be more reliable for access, and naturally you'll want to check beforehand to make sure your payment and shipping information is up to date. Also, there's the Apple iPhone Upgrade program to consider -- with these new higher prices installment plans are more appealing than ever.
US carriers create single sign-on service that could end passwords
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have teamed up to create a single sign-on service that could mean you won't have to use a password manager or remember your (hopefully strong) login credentials for every app on your phone. The carriers say Project Verify can authenticate your logins by confirming your identity using factors like your phone number, SIM card information, the type of phone account you have, IP address and how long you've had your plan.
