HoFo Blog

From The Web:

Samsung Launches the Galaxy S21 FE at $699

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE sold over 10 million units, which is probably why we got the Galaxy S21 FE

TCL's newest Android phones will arrive at T-Mobile and Verizon this month and quickly be forgotten

Verizon joins T-Mobile and AT&T by offering a truly unlimited mobile plan

It is time for another phone revolution

From The Forums:

Missing a lot of GB

Verizon Commits to Launching 5G for 100 Million This Month

Possible to get USB tethering and WiFi hotspot to work on (A&T) X Venture?

Can't text abuse leave H20

Activating my Tracfone after having it a few months. Some questions. ???

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Olympic Games Edition announced

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE hands-on: Better late than never

This is how much your used Android phone will sell for in 2022

Apple hits $3 trillion market cap

Don't waste your money on these Apple products: January 2022 edition

From The Forums:

tracfone question

Snow Storm

Verizon postpaid unlimited data plan with 5G?

Supposed new plans

Super slow data speed

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, December 27th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, December 28th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, December 29th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 30th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, December 31st, 2021

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 50 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

WiFi Calling… beware Data settings

Congrats to tftess for starting our one hundred and eighth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a monthlong Premium Membership on us. Benefits include ad-free browsing, increased private message count, access to a subscriber-only forum, extra attachment space, a referral/affiliate signature link, the ability to post referrals, and a custom avatar and user title!

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q3

Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q4

The biggest tech fails of 2021

Gurman: iPhone 14 Models With Hole-Punch Display, Redesigned MacBook Air With M2 Chip, and More to Launch in 2022

MobileSyrup Touque Test 2021: How new wireless earbuds work with winter hats

From The Forums:

The VoLTE changes

I can't log into Tracfone...

Will C-band be available for business customers?

Truphone 2022 thread

Completly remove a phone from national black list

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q3

Samsung's Galaxy Store is distributing apps that could infect phones with malware

Apple Allegedly Preparing for iPhones Without SIM Card Slot by September 2022

Here are the most important Canadian telecom stories of 2021

Wareable Hotlist: 22 wearable tech predictions for 2022

From The Forums:

Unsubscribe from TracFone marketing texts

Incoming phone call 8:30 AM every day

Using "upgrade" phone to activate a new line?

Transferring apps and data from old Moto to new Moto

Can I add paygo credit for data to the $12 plan?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Best tablets of 2021

Whoop 4.0 review: Niche but brilliant sports wearable

New ​Movano smart ring to bring stylish health tracking at CES

China Mobile Subsidiary CMLink to Cease Operations in Canada Amid Security Concerns

BlackBerry OS devices will stop working on January 4, 2022

From The Forums:

reconditioned iPhone 12 month unlock?

Using Current Google Voice Number with New IPhone?

When is Tmobile dropping 3G?

Tracfone Account Error - Account Does Not Exists!

How to Stack a 1 Year Plan to an Existing account?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE unboxed and reviewed by retailer buyer in South Africa

FCC win clears the way for a massive Wi-Fi 6E upgrade

Another T-Mobile cyberattack reportedly exposed customer info and SIMs

Some LastPass users are mysteriously seeing their Master Passwords compromised

2021 in wearables: Biggest launches of the year revisited

From The Forums:

WiFi Calling… beware Data settings

Moto E low memory error when using camera in apps

5g service. Will it become mandatory anytime soon to have a 5g capable phone?

New plan for flip phones - $15/mo but no data

T-Mobile Got Breach Again

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q2

Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro debut with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipsets, 50MP main cams

Lenovo has a third Motorola Razr foldable coming, apparently with a better chip

​New Fitbit patent targets depression and bipolar detection

Apple Stores across NYC are only open if you’re picking up an online order

From The Forums:

any tracfone company service for any tracfone company device?

question about 3g going away and lte

iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13 5G performance

Updating Credit Card on PP Site

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, December 20th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, December 21st, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 23rd, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, December 24th, 2021

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 38 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

TF Activation Black Hole

Congrats to cv91913 for starting our one hundred and seventh thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a monthlong Premium Membership on us. Benefits include ad-free browsing, increased private message count, access to a subscriber-only forum, extra attachment space, a referral/affiliate signature link, the ability to post referrals, and a custom avatar and user title!

---------
Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

Top 10 trending phones of week 51

Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q1

2021 in smartphones: losing LG, Samsung Galaxy S21, iPhone 13, Pixel 6 and more

Potential DOJ suits against Apple and Google delayed amid budget woes

COVID Alert App Cost Canada $20 Million, Used Only 869 Times in November

From The Forums:

Wi-Fi calling working on my TF/Verizon iPhone

How do I bring back "talk to text" feature?

"Big Brother" curiosity

BYOP Samsung A70: TF/ATT is booting us. Help?

Verizon to Verizon sim swapping

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

These 109 amazing Android apps and games are discounted for the holidays

Here are all the Motorola smartphones getting Android 12

Some Android 13 features leaked nearly a year ahead of launch

‘Apple Together’ Group Stages Retail Walkout on December 24 Over Working Conditions

T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet: I tried it, and it tried me

From The Forums:

Move TF/ATT BYOP SIM from one phone to another

Unlocking - I hope my reasoning is NOT correct!

Where do Jitterbug Smartphone users go to????

Visible activation experience

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy Holidays!

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Stop Closing Apps on Your iPhone

Two of Google’s Pixel-exclusive features have been disabled due to bugs

Wind Mobile founder Anthony Lacavera wants to buy Freedom Mobile

Ad board tells Mint Mobile it should stop abusing the word ‘unlimited’

Huawei Watch D blood pressure monitoring feature shown off in demo video

From The Forums:

New phone being offered?

USB connecter will not stay connected in my phone like it use to

Redpocket disappointing for low minutes ATT plan with Samsung Galaxy A02s ?

Looking for VOIP recommendations. Am willing to pay more for better call quality

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Massive leak reveals Garmin's new Venu, Epix, Fenix, and Instinct series smartwatches

Latest Google Pixel Watch rumors have it sounding more and more worthy of the name

The best Android smartwatches for 2022

Chrome OS tablets are getting fancier but not better

CES 2022 starts to fall apart as T-Mobile, Amazon, and others bail on in-person conference

From The Forums:

TF Activation Black Hole

Is redpocket one of the best prepaid deals?

Does the Tracfone LG Classic Flip phone have Google Maps

Boost Mobile Retail Stores & CSRs No Longer Allowing Unlocked Devices on their network

Verizon Phone Unlocking and the C Block Rules - History and if you need to get a phone unlocked

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Xiaomi’s next flagship phone will launch on December 28

OnePlus 10 Pro January launch confirmed

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE to launch on January 11, a new leak confirms

T-Mobile is making it slightly harder for hackers to steal your phone number

Average Cost of 1GB of Mobile Data: $0.09 in India; $12.55 in Canada

From The Forums:

Unauthorized porting to Metro?

Anyone seeing "custom forwarding rules" in web GV settings?

I don't understand how group texts work with GV. Can you help?

---------
Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, December 13th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, December 14th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, December 15th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 16th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, December 17th, 2021

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 48 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Moto g power questions

Congrats once again to Maiku1 for starting our one hundred and sixth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a monthlong Premium Membership on us. Benefits include ad-free browsing, increased private message count, access to a subscriber-only forum, extra attachment space, a referral/affiliate signature link, the ability to post referrals, and a custom avatar and user title!

---------
Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

Top 10 trending phones of week 50

The best of 2021: Our favorite smartphone, Chromebook, smartwatch, and earbuds

FCC settles with Verizon, AT&T, and others over failed 911 calls

SaskTel brings 5G to Saskatchewan

'Anti-5G' jewelry and accessories are radioactive, Dutch authorities warn

From The Forums:

Tracfone says my phones on AT&T will not work on AT&T or Verizon

Live c-band site

Poly sets EOL timeline for OBI ATAs (200, 202, 212)

Calls do not work over data but work over Wi-Fi

HOW do you forward a junk or spam message to 7726, using basic flip phone?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Counterpoint: Mediatek increases its lead in smartphone chip maker race

iOS 15.2 Features: Everything New in iOS 15.2

The new OxygenOS 12 update for the OnePlus 9 series is just awful

Apple, Google, and Amazon have teamed up to fix the smart home with a new standard called Matter

Nokia Kataya and Ion Mini 2 get the hands-on treatment (neer-released Nokia phones)

From The Forums:

Samsung A20 show voLTE switch

Moto g power questions

Mint Mobile playing games with Android phones?

No more notifiers via text that your payment is due?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

Huawei’s P50 Pocket is a stylish clamshell foldable launching this month

The best end-to-end encrypted messaging apps for your Android phone

These are Google’s likely watchfaces on 'Pixel Watch'

Amazon Halo View review: the Fitbit clone no one asked for

Caviar Pays Tribute to Steve Jobs with an iPhone 13 Pro Made with First-Gen Parts

From The Forums:

Upgrade to Pixel 5a Tracfone issues

Network Extender

Unlocked T-Mobile LG G8 using ATT BYOP sim "not compatible with the updated network" problem

Unlimited truly unlimited?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

Oppo Find N battles the Fold 3 with better cameras and tiny form factor; will only be sold in China

Leaked documents link Huawei to China’s domestic spying in Xinjiang

DoorDash Launches 'DashMart' Virtual Grocery and Convenience Store in Canada

Republic Wireless dishes out new look, new plans, and disappointment

T-Mobile to start selling a new Google TV dongle with the built-in Ethernet that Chromecast lacks

From The Forums:

Some surprises after buying Samsung Galaxy A02s (recent deal) ?

Q: What is the average cell phone bill?

Verizon Selects & Custom Experience Plus

How vulnerable am I moving on from a longtime number?

Buy Add-on Paygo Data Button Missing on TF Webwite?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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