HoFo News

From The Web:

EU advances rules that wrestle control of user data away from Big Tech

Google Wallet adding QR code card payments for NFC-less phones

Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) review: A stylus phone that won't break the bank

Apple Drops 0% Financing in Canada as Rates Surge

Top mental health and prayer apps fail spectacularly at privacy security

From The Forums:

Cost of Phone - Band 70

TF not able to give trackinf info for new ohone order

Missed call notification for calls that were connected

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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:

The Pixel Fold shows how far ahead Samsung’s folding phones are

RIP to my Pixel Fold: Dead after four days

Galaxy Z Flip 5 leaks in real-life image as color options and price hike leak

iPhone 15 Pro Expected to Launch in September With These 12 New Features

Japan pushes for Apple and Google to allow sideloading

From The Forums:

Locate Tower

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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:

An upcoming 5G deadline could cause airline delays starting July 1st

UK police blame Android SOS feature for influx of false emergency calls

Turn off your iPhone for five minutes – Australian PM echoes cybersecurity advice

Top 10 trending phones of week 25

Goodenough, Nobel laureate who gave the world Li-ion batteries, passes away

From The Forums:

voicemail not working on new phone

TF Moto G stylus 5G 2021 compatible with Google FI?

Are there any workarounds or soluitions to the Att Whitelist block for byod?

iPhone 13 pro or 13 pro max

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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, June 19th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 20th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 21st, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 22nd, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, June 23rd, 2023

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 18 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

NON-deprioritized Prepaid Carriers

Congrats once again to sillyette for starting our one hundred and seventy-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!

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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:

Canadians will no longer have access to news content on Facebook and Instagram, Meta says

Canadians are using mobile data at unprecedented rates

Fido, Koodo, Virgin drop $39/20GB offer in favour of $39/10GB plan

Here's our first look at the Fairphone 5

Why I Give Up on Free Software Phones

From The Forums:

Has anyone had success activating Tracfone on an iPhone 13 mini?? I just failed.

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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:

Google Pixel Tablet review: That first-gen feeling

Google Pixel Tablet factory images and OTA files now available for download

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series promo images emerge

Apple releases iOS 17 Beta 2

Apple Releases iOS 16.5.1 With Fix for Lightning to USB Camera Adapter Bug

From The Forums:

Anyone using Mango (redpocket) / Mobile-X / T-mobile Connect / US Mobile?

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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:

Leak reveals all the devices Samsung will show at Galaxy Unpacked

Samsung confirms Galaxy Watch 6 coming later this year with AFib notifications

Pixel Watch June update brings SpO2 tracking and more

Don't expect third-party faces for the Apple Watch

Whoop vs Garmin: Sleep, accuracy and insights compared

From The Forums:

Can one byod Verizon prepaid and/or Verizon mvno phones onto Visible ?

switching from RedPocket - Yearly Plans?

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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:

Every smartphone should be a flip phone, starting right now

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra cover screen design is bad and overrated

Get the Google Pixel Fold for 50% off at AT&T, no trade-in required

Don’t be afraid to switch carriers to save some money

Telus Quietly Removes 1.5% Credit Card Fee

From The Forums:

TFone: can I get around the 6 months inactive line with valid service issue?

TFone: merge lines into TF ATT SIM to extend service - still works in 2023?

much better audio quality these days over data or wifi

Trying to track down an ongoing issue with my girls phones

text now add ons changed

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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:

iPhone 15 Expected to Recieve Next-Gen Ultra Wideband Chip, Vision Pro Integration

Does the Dynamic Island seem a little static in iOS 17?

Apple to discontinue Apple Card financing for iPhones bought without a carrier connection

Apple might be working on a more affordable Vision Pro headset for a 2025 release

Top 10 trending phones of week 24

From The Forums:

NON-deprioritized Prepaid Carriers

Apple makes what appears an anti-prepaid and MVNO move

Service Period vs Expiration Date (only on web page)

Samsung S21 Esim is Compatible on Tracfone??

Has anybody successfully made an international call with the Global Calling Card?

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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, June 12th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 15th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, June 16th, 2023

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 45 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

new FreedomPOP (GSMA) free plan SIM spotted at target

Congrats to robbyrobby for starting our one hundred and seventy-fifth 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.
---------

From The Web:

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman isn’t backing down: our full interview

Apollo’s Christian Selig explains his fight with Reddit — and why users revolted

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 leaks in official promotional image

Canadians schools are taking steps to block smartphone use in classrooms

BlackBerry is now available to stream on Apple TV, Google Play and Prime Video

From The Forums:

TMO Home router, optimisation tips

Phone transfer

Unactivated Sprint Phone; No Sprint Account - Any Hope?

Total for Verizon - port out

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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:

Vodafone and Three, two of the UK’s biggest carriers, will merge

Bell to cut 1,300 jobs including media, blames ‘regulatory intervention’

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE to launch in select markets in Q3 2023

Moto G 5G (2023) vs. Moto G 5G (2022): Which should you buy?

Moto G 5G 2023 vs Moto G Stylus 2023: Is the pen mighty enough to win?

From The Forums:

MINT email , 3 months unlimited for $15 a month

H20 PayGo 90 day plan refill

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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:

Google’s Pixel June Feature Drop is here with cinematic wallpapers and much more

Pixel 7 and 7a get 32 fixes with Android 13 QPR3 update

How to install the Android 14 Beta on Google Pixel

Apple Preparing iOS 16.5.1 Update for iPhone Following iOS 17 Beta

iOS 17 Won't Work on Every iPhone. See if Yours Is on the List

From The Forums:

Please suggest the "best", "future-proof phone"(!)

Samsung Galaxy S23 (US version) is region locked

Hans Vestberg on the way out! Verizon searching for a new CEO

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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:

Exclusive: Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover display gets optimized Google apps

June’s Android 13 QPR3 update with the next Pixel Feature Drop is late

Mint Mobile is offering all plans for $15/month for a limited time

Chatr, Lucky Mobile, offering matching 4GB bonus data deals

Samsung Opens New Retail Stores in Canada

From The Forums:

Move BYOP SIM into a Tracfone-branded phone

US Mobile experiences?

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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:

Google Pixel 8 camera leak details new main sensor, Pro-only upgrades, more

Sony Xperia Pro-I II might have two 1.0" Type sensors

Microsoft just made it easier to get the most out of Android apps on Windows 11

Tired of getting spam calls? Here's why you may never be rid of them

Top 10 trending phones of week 23

From The Forums:

locking to first physical sim inserted?

Incoming GV Calls Do Not Show Or Ring on My Phone Consistently

new FreedomPOP (GSMA) free plan SIM spotted at target

My experience with unlocking a phone

---------
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, June 5th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 8th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, June 9th, 2023

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 27 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Is Pixel 6a a good phone?

Congrats to sillyette for starting our one hundred and seventy-fourth 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:

Apple rethinks the Apple Watch with watchOS 10 update

Google takes first step in killing your Fitbit account

With iOS 17, Apple lets you share AirTags with friends and family

Mark Zuckerberg Shares Thoughts on Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s view of the future is a lonely one

From The Forums:

My Wife And I Are Both On AT&T But She Doesn't Receive My Texts

Sim size-handset with standard size?

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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:

You don’t need to pay $99 for a developer account to try iOS 17 or macOS 14 beta

iOS 17 might just make iPhone owners hate green bubbles less

A closer look at Apple’s Vision Pro keyboard and other controls

Here are the features Apple didn’t announce in the WWDC keynote

Rogers, Telus, Bell Launch New Canada-US Roaming Plans

From The Forums:

16 GB/Mo $300/Year Plan No Longer Has Data In Mexico/Canada

How much data is really necessary to push a SMS to my 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:

Apple announces visionOS, the operating system for its Vision Pro headset

Tim Cook says $3,499 USD Vision Pro is ‘great value’

It's official: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will be hosted in last week of July for the unveiling of Fold5 and Flip5

OnePlus Fold to be unveiled in August in New York

Hot Take: Apple Vision Pro

From The Forums:

LTE Wireless Home Phone Base?

T-Mobile Slashes Customer Service Workers

Transfer service from my unlocked TF Moto G Pure to used/locked Tf Nokia G300

Never owned an Iphone

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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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