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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.
Vertu rises from bankruptcy ashes with $4,000 Android phone
Like a very expensive phoenix emerging from gold-and-sapphire-tipped flames, Vertu has returned from its bankruptcy with its latest luxury smartphone. Aster P is a handmade device with a price tag that reflects that handiwork and the premium materials used to make it -- it'll cost you at least $4,000.
OnePlus is dropping the headphone jack from the upcoming 6T
Apple seemingly hammered the final nail in the coffin for the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack in iPhones Wednesday after dropping the 6s and SE models (the last of its handsets to include the port) from its lineup. Another company is axing the headphone jack too, after OnePlus confirmed its upcoming phone won't include the port.
US customs faces lawsuit over copied iPhone data
A US Muslim woman whose iPhone was taken from her by US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) is suing to have her property returned. But the property in question isn't the phone itself, which was eventually returned, but the data stored on it and retained by CPB. As searches of electronic devices belonging to people entering or returning to the US continue to become more frequent, this case and others are raising important questions about what can and should be searched and retained by the US government.
Gmail's 'Confidential Mode' arrives on mobile devices
Google's big Gmail redesign was revealed this past April (with G Suite customers getting the first look). It became default for everyone starting in July. One of the key features, Confidential Mode, is now available for mobile devices, though not everyone is as confident in its ability to keep your data private.
Phones sold by the four major US carriers could have a major security flaw
Customers using devices from four major cell phone carriers could unknowingly be exposing sensitive data to hackers, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Fifth Domain reports that DHS-funded researchers from mobile security firm Kryptowire have found vulnerabilities in phones used by Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. The flaws are built into phones by manufacturers, and include a loophole that could exploit data, emails and text messages.
Cuba is rolling out mobile internet nationwide
The Cuban government has launched a program that will see mobile internet rolled out nationwide by the end of the year. Communist-run Cuba is one of the least connected countries in the Western Hemisphere due to a lack of resources, the US trade embargo and the government's low-tolerance approach to public dissidence, but new President Miguel Diaz-Canel says greater internet access will help to boost the economy and help Cubans "defend their revolution."
Verizon stops activating 3G phones
Verizon is no longer activating phones that aren't 4G LTE-capable. Recently, a few readers told Droid Life that Verizon had declined their requests to activate 3G devices, and the carrier has now confirmed that this will be the policy going forward. "For several years we've been been publicly saying that our 3G CDMA network will remain available through the end of 2019. Virtually all traffic on our network is on our 4G LTE network," Verizon told Engadget. "To facilitate a smooth transition to 4G LTE-capable products and services, we are no longer allowing devices that are not 4G LTE-capable to be activated on our network."
Recommended Reading: Microsoft bets big on a smaller Surface
Surface Go is Microsoft's big bet on a tiny-computer future Lauren Goode, Wired Microsoft debuted its much-rumored smaller Surface device this week, hoping to tempt the Windows faithful with a compact $399 option. Wired has a detailed look at the Surface Go, including a chat with chief product officer Panos Panay.
Samsung's ISOCELL Plus camera sensor upgrades low light performance
While Samsung may be playing catch up in some fields, it continues to charge ahead with its smartphone camera tech. Today it's unveiled its new ISOCELL Plus technology, which means sharper and more accurate photos even in challenging light environments.
Facebook tells advertisers to get consent for email and phone targeting
Facebook has had no shortage of privacy debacles lately, and it's taking steps to prevent another one before it starts. The company has instituted requirements for its Custom Audience advertising that, as of July 2nd, will tell them to ask permission for targeting ads based on contact info like email addresses and phone numbers. They'll also have declare how they got that contact info (direct consent, partners or a mix of both).
ASUS ROG's ridiculously high-spec gaming phone was made for 'PUBG'
Thanks to the likes of Free Fire, PUBG and Fortnite arriving on mobile, gaming smartphones seem like a no-brainer for brands that want to break into the crowded smartphone world, with the Razer Phone setting the bar for others to follow. ASUS thinks it can do better. Here at Computex, the company surprised many by unveiling the ROG Phone, its first-ever handset made specifically with gaming in mind. Needless to say, this aggressive-looking device is specced out as a powerhouse, but it's also packed with many unique and thoughtful features that aim to deliver a better gaming experience. There are also a handful of dedicated accessories -- including an external cooling fan that clips onto the back, plus an optional handheld dock that adds a second screen to the ROG Phone.
Feast your eyes on the OnePlus 6 Avengers edition
It looks like OnePlus went all out designing the Avengers-themed OnePlus 6. Unlike its Star Wars-branded older sibling, it got a lot more than a wallpaper and a barely visible logo on the back -- it features a Kevlar pattern under its back cover and a color scheme that works well with the golden Avengers emblem, OnePlus logo and mute button. The "Avengers Alliance" package also comes with a phone case in the shape of Iron Man's helmet, and a gold Avengers medallion in a box embossed with the team's recognizable "A" insignia.
The Galaxy S9 vs. the competition: Under the hood
On the outside the Galaxy S9 looks pretty familiar: not only does it maintain the same basic shape as the S8, but it's kept the screen and battery size of its predecessor as well. In fact, other high-end phones like the Pixel 2 and iPhone 8 have also stuck with familiar design language, which means that you have to look at the specs to see what's been revised or refined. This year it's mostly about the S9's cameras, with the rear-facing one boasting a dual aperture and the software adding a slew of new features for better pictures and videos. But what other changes should you look at, and how do they compare to what's already on the market? We've stacked up the Galaxy S9 versus its closest competitors so you can get a better idea which one you might want to pick up this spring -- though we also advise checking out our full review of the S9 when it drops next month.
Tinder security flaw granted account access with just a phone number
Security researchers at Appsecure found a way to access anyone's Tinder account via their phone number. The exploit took advantage of a software flaw in both the dating app's login process as well as the Facebook API that it's based on. The issues have been fixed since, but represent a pretty big security lapse.
Verizon will begin locking phones to deter thieves
Verizon currently has the most generous unlocked phones policy of all wireless carriers, but according to CNET, that will be changing soon. In an effort to combat phone theft, Verizon will begin locking the phones it sells to consumers starting Monday. While the phones will immediately be unlocked as soon as the customer activates service, later this spring the wireless carrier will begin keeping phones locked for a certain amount of time after purchase.
Google Bulletin is powered by your hyperlocal news updates
Google has been toying with the idea of hyperlocal news for a while now. It tested Google Now cards back in 2013 that could display information as close as your neighborhood, for example. The company's latest take, Bulletin, is in testing as an app to create and instantly publish those hyperlocal stories from your phone. Currently only in early access in Nashville and Oakland, Bulletin encourages local journalists and everyday folk to capture a video, take a snapshot and build a story around events wherever they happen.
RED's Hydrogen One smartphone will ship this summer
RED's much-hyped Hydrogen One smartphone is edging ever-closer to market, according to an update from its creators. In a thread on the camera company's reduser forums, the makers of the holographic-display phone have revealed pre-order will open "probably in April," with an official ship date "sometime in the summer". Details beyond this are vague, but according to the post carrier support for the phone is "unprecedented" and social media partners will include "big dogs."
The Sgnl wristband is almost ready to turn your hand into a phone
We've seen Innomdle Lab's Sgnl wearable at CES a few times before, but it's worth revisiting because a) it's an absolutely crazy idea that works; and b) it's very nearly ready for the masses. In case you missed it the first time around, the Sgnl is a sleek, understated wearable that lets you have full-blown private phone conversations by simply touching your finger to your ear.
Samsung and LG say they do not slow down older phones
Apple has been under fire recently over the revelation that the company was intentionally slowing down older phones in order to balance performance and battery life. Now, LG and Samsung have both clarified to Phonearena that neither company engages in this kind of practice. HTC and Motorola made similar statements yesterday.
