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AT&T restores cellphone service after US outage affecting thousands of users
A widespread AT&T outage has impacted over 50,000 customers as of this morning, with most customer complaints centered in Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta. This outage even impacted 911 services.
Starlink's satellite cell service is set to launch in 2024, but only for SMS
Starlink is set to launch a satellite-based texting service in 2024 that will grow to include voice and data in the coming years.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is building a massive GPU cluster to ‘cure, prevent or manage all diseases’
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is deploying over 1,000 GPUs to take on the lofty goal of mapping and analyzing human cells in the hopes of one day curing or managing all diseases.
Apple Watch Series 8 cellular models are $110 off right now
Amazon is having a sale on its latest Watches, with a particularly good deal on the Series 8 cellular model.
Apple's 2021 cellular iPad Mini falls to a new all-time low at Amazon
If you've been eyeing a cellular iPad Mini, it's now available at Amazon for $600, or $49 off the regular price -- the steepest discount we've seen so far.
Orion WiFi will connect you to public WiFi when cell coverage is limited
Orion WiFi will seamlessly connect cellular customers to public WiFi when cell coverage is limited.
Save $100 on the Apple Watch Series 5 at Amazon
Both the GPS and cellular versions of the Apple Watch Series 5 are on sale on Amazon today.
Amazon is selling Apple's cellular 64GB iPad Mini at an all-time low
Apple's iPad Mini Cellular is down to $394.
Apple's 10.2-inch iPad with LTE drops to $380 on Amazon
Amazon’s latest sale on the 10.2-inch iPad with cellular drops the price down from $460 to $380.
Anti-5G cell tower attacks spread to the Netherlands
Unsupported fears over 5G's health effects have led to attacks against Dutch cell sites.
MIT's 'smart surface' could improve your WiFi signal tenfold
There's a problem with stuffing wireless connections into ever-smaller devices: they can struggle to maintain a good signal when there's so little space for antennas. MIT CSAIL researchers might have a fix, though. They've developed an RFocus "smart surface" that "can work both as a mirror or a lens" to focus radio signals onto the right devices on either side of the "fence." In return, this improves the median signal strength by nearly 10 times, while doubling the median channel capacity in an office environment. Instead of just a handful of monolithic antennas, the RFocus prototype revolves around 3,000-plus tiny antennas with software that arranges them to maximize reception. In other words, RFocus is acting as a beamforming controller in the middle, as opposed to letting the radio endpoints -- transmitters and client devices -- manage this activity, which would be difficult to implement on tiny devices.
Apple's latest iPad is back down to $250 in Amazon's tablet sale
Amazon has slashed prices across Apple's range of iPads, and there are savings to be had whatever model you might be in the market for. The $250 10.2 inch 32GB deal is back again -- great for people on a budget. It's not the lowest price ever, but a saving of $79 off the usual list price is not to be sneezed at.
The Apple Watch Series 4 just keeps getting cheaper
Apple is no longer selling its Apple Watch Series 4, but you can snag one for a steep discount on Amazon. Last week, we saw the price drop on the base silver aluminum and white sport band versions of the 44mm models. Today, the watches are on sale for even more. You can save up to $160.
Vodafone tests open cellular radio tech that could lower call costs
Your wireless carrier is usually beholden to using proprietary cellular network tech from the likes of Ericsson or Nokia, but there may soon be a more universal technology that could benefit your bank account. Vodafone has started the first European tests (specifically, the UK) for OpenRAN, an Intel co-developed open access radio system that harmonizes hardware and software in cellular infrastructure. It doesn't sound exciting, but it effectively opens the door to lower-cost cell networks -- and that, in turn, could lower the costs of your calls and data.
Apple reportedly shelves 'walkie talkie' iPhone feature
Apple has put its plans for a 'walkie talkie' iPhone feature on hold, The Information reports. The technology would have allowed people with iPhones (in a certain vicinity) to send messages over long-distance radio waves when cellular networks weren't available. It would have functioned a bit like a walkie talkie for text messages and allowed iPhone users to communicate in remote areas.
Three UK rolls out 5G home internet access in London
Yet another carrier is offering 5G in the UK -- although it's not on your phone. Three has launched 5G home broadband in parts of London, giving people "fibre-like speeds" (the carrier hasn't given specific numbers) without requiring a technician visit. Pricing is simple, too -- there's just one £35 ($43) plan that offers "truly unlimited" access on a one-year contract.
US will reportedly give Huawei another temporary reprieve
Huawei hasn't had any luck reversing the US trade ban despite promises of removing some restrictions. It might be a long while before the company is forced to cut all its ties, however. Reuters sources have claimed the Commerce Department is expected to grant Huawei another 90-day "temporary general license" that will renew a reprieve set to expire on August 19th. The arrangement will reportedly let Huawei both maintain current telecom networks and supply software updates for phones. Your P30 Pro should still be up to date months after the ban took effect, and might even stay current throughout 2019.
Apple buys the 'majority' of Intel's smartphone modem business
The rumors were (mostly) true -- Apple is buying the "majority" of Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion. The deal will see Apple take on 2,200 Intel workers as well as equipment, intellectual property and leases. Apple expects the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2019 so long as regulators approve the handover.
Apple in 'advanced' discussions to buy Intel's modem division
After months of rumors, Intel is reportedly close to finding a buyer for its phone modem division... and it won't surprise you to hear who the candidate is. Wall Street Journal tipsters claim Apple is in "advanced talks" to buy the modem chip outfit, with the reportedly $1 billion-plus deal possibly ready within the next week. The companies had been discussing a sale since summer 2018, according to the sources, but had been on-and-off until sometime after Apple reached its truce with Qualcomm, leading Intel to halt its 5G work.
US networks improved in early 2019 with help from 5G upgrades
Did you have fewer gripes about your cellphone service earlier this year? You're not alone. JD Power's latest US wireless network quality study indicates that the ratio of complaints about call and data performance dropped for every major carrier in the country during the first half of 2019. Verizon (disclaimer: that's Engadget's parent company) had the fewest complaints per 100 people (seven) in all six of the regions studied, but other networks weren't far behind. US Cellular tied for first in the north central US, and both AT&T and T-Mobile usually took turns in second place. Sprint was the lone company consistently trailing behind, although it still saw an improvement.
