HoFo Blog

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, September 14th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 15th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 16th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 17th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 18th, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior 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 99 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Verizon to buy Tracfone

Congrats to thu1227 for starting our forty-second thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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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 trending phones of week 38

U.S. judge halts Trump administration's order to remove WeChat from app stores

TikTok deal with Oracle and Walmart gets Trump’s approval ‘in concept’

It's Impossible for You to Know Which Apps Sell Your Location Data to Trump

Rogers Says Wireless Prices Falling in Canada, Shares 'Facts Nobody is Telling You'

From The Forums:

Is a 5g phone more likely to default to band 71?

Red pocket upgraded there annual plan to 7gb

Changing tower to eliminate "I am roaming" message - tracfone smartphone

Roaming 311-490 (Sprint): Is it the SIM?

T-Mobile in eastern Iowa

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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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This morning the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its intention to ban two of China's most popular software titles from Android and iOS app stores. It's unclear if they will remain available to users in markets outside of the USA.

Why is this happening? National security, according to the official release:

Sounds scary... But this Canadian would like to humbly remind you of the CLOUD Act, giving American intelligence services their own means to access the personal data of users around the world. To be clear, I'm no fan of the CCP and use neither of these apps. At the same time, this decision reeks of U.S. protectionism as much as anything else.

I've no strong opinion on TikTok (except that social media is generally a cancer) but the WeChat ban is certainly going to suck for anyone who depends on it to keep up with family and friends worldwide.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce via XDA

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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 Watch Series 6 is a welcome update to the reigning smartwatch champ

Apple Watch SE reviews: The best of the Series 4 and Series 6 with few compromises

watchOS 7 Removes Force Touch Support From Your Apple Watch, Here's Everything That's Changed

Diesel's new smartwatch is either garishly ugly or strikingly beautiful

Google fixes odd bug that made some Pixel Buds audio cut out at 1:50 intervals

From The Forums:

Rebranding possible of iphone locked to Total Wireless ?

How/Why Does Total Wireless Want Customers To Get A New SIM Card When You Switch Phones?

Credit bureaus

T-Mobile is advising customers to use newer SIM card to access standalone 5G

Switched to US Mobile.... problems...

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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:

How to download and install iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

How Long Does Apple Support Older iPhone Models?

OnePlus Nord N10 5G coming to the U.S. with Snapdragon 690, 90Hz display for under $400

Google Pixel 5: Pricing, specs, release date, images, and everything else we know

AT&T thinks you'll put up with ads in exchange for a cheaper phone bill

From The Forums:

Just signed up for the free Hot Spot Trial - questions

“Line on us,” starts again: 9/18

T-Mobile pre-paid eSIM (after 50GB used, LTE no longer available)

T-Mobile's Support Forum: It pays to watch.

Give me this NOW

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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’s ‘Time Flies’ event: the 9 biggest announcements

Apple One: Release date, price, and everything else

Apple One Plans Will Save You Up to $32/month in Canada

Spotify says Apple One bundle is a 'threat to collective freedom'

I did my entire job from the Galaxy Z Fold2 for a day

From The Forums:

Boost iphone 6 plus on VZW?

i need help: im 2 days past return date but i had covid those 14 days

Can’t change plan

Does Sim Card Gold side need to face down?

Dish’s new 600 MHz lease to T-Mobile could trigger C-band moves

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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:

What to Expect from Apple’s September Special Event: Apple Watch, iPad, No iPhones

Google to launch Pixel 5, new Chromecast, and smart speaker on September 30th

LG Wing goes official with swiveling design, Snapdragon 765G

Here’s what the new OnePlus 8T will look like

US Customs doubles down on OnePlus Buds seizure, says they violate Apple trademark

From The Forums:

Verizon to buy Tracfone

Verizon Buys Tracfone

Verizon now owns Tracfone

Sale of TracFone to Verizon

tracfone/verizon

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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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Discuss the news on the Tracfone forum here, or the Verizon forum here.

Source: Verizon Press Release via The Verge

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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, September 7th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 8th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 9th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 10th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 11th, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior 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 49 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

The 5G lie: The network of the future is still slow

Congrats to navyson for starting our forty-first thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 37

Nvidia is acquiring Arm for $40 billion

Ex-Google boss Eric Schmidt: US 'dropped the ball' on innovation

Canada looks set for a fight over C$1 billion compensation for Huawei gear

OnePlus Buds confused for counterfeit Apple AirPods by US Customs in bust

From The Forums:

Helping an old lady again

Phones will not work with Verizon

Is T-Mobile adding Sprint sites to its network already?

Verizon Prepaid Priority

Data inop Tracfone SIM card new unlocked iphone SE 2nd gen

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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:

Microsoft Surface Duo review: Enthusiastically an enthusiast's phone

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review

Motorola launches the Moto G9 Plus with a 6.8″ display, 64MP quad cameras, and 5000mAh battery

Bose announces $279 QuietComfort Earbuds and $179 Sport Earbuds

Suunto 7 smartwatch is first to receive major new Wear OS update

From The Forums:

How terrible are these numbers!!

Pix Wireless shutting down Verizon Silver plans

Has T-mobile improved around Dallas last couple of years

Pixel 3 XL and Sprint - signal strength issues and sporadic calls dropping - any thoughts?

3G VZ or Tello phone suggestion

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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:

Motorola’s second-gen foldable Razr adds 5G, better cameras, and a chance at redemption

Here are all the hidden changes in Android 11 we learned from source code

Google’s Pixel 4a is now available for purchase in Canada

Google's Pixel plans get even more confusing as images of Pixel 5s surface

Carriers Preparing for Launch of iPhone 12 Models With 5G Support

From The Forums:

Mint Mobile adds unlimited

Need some handholding with this forced voLTE thing

RedPocket - can't receive or send MMS

just notice 5G in my area..

FreeMii - $170 one time "membership" and free forever. Is it scam?

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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:

Android 11 now available for Pixel phones

The Google Pixel 4a gets its first custom ROM and kernel

Apple announces September 15 event as Apple Watch Series 6 and new iPad Air launch proves a no-show; iPhone 12 series due in October

Apple doubles down in fight with Fortnite creator Epic Games, seeks damages for breach of contract

5G really sucks right now

From The Forums:

The 5G lie: The network of the future is still slow

ATT 5G service

Launch Device Pulse - Tracfone

Red pocket Verizon vs red pocket ATT

TextNow LTE down?

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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 Is Developing A Transparent Smartphone

Report: Apple to begin iPhone 12 mass production soon, AirTags production already started

Apple to Launch Apple Watch and iPad Air on Tuesday Still, Claims Leaker

Google is giving out special Pixel 4a unboxing experiences to people in the UK

Xiaomi unveils the POCO X3 NFC with a 120Hz display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, and 64MP quad camera

From The Forums:

New T-Mobile Sound

Sprint Service Om TM Account

Las Cruces NM gets 5G but a big city like Albuquerque doesn't?

Adding FreedomPop 12 month plan to existing account

Activating a BYOP TMO SIM

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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, August 31st, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 1st, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 3rd, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 4th, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior 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 75 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Verizon CBRS auction failure

Congrats to Jack Hagar for starting our fortieth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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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:

The new devices of the week

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review

Apple likely to announce iPhone 12 event date this week

Pixel 5 launch date and pricing revealed in new leak, Pixel 4a 5G will launch on the same day

Camera shootout: Galaxy Note20 Ultra vs. Pixel 4a

From The Forums:

Anyone know where any AT&T 5G+ (mmw) is in Baltimore?

How much is the teacher discount?

Combine/Merge

Verizon really screwed me. Any way around this?

Red Pocket eBay help

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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's Galaxy S10 & Note 10 phones start receiving the One UI 2.5 update

Apple delays predicted iOS 14 data transparency 'adpocalypse' until 2021

OnePlus 8T leaked specs reveal 120Hz OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus

Google Pixel 5 could cost a lot less than the Pixel 4

Huami Amazfit Neo smartwatch with always-on display, heart-rate monitor, and chunky retro design now available from US$39.99

From The Forums:

T-Mobile Settlement to provide broadband access to Colorado K-12 students

Unreal Mobile has infested my phone

Will iPhone-12 include CDMA?

What's the best way to upgrade from 3G to 4G?

US Mobile reviews?

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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:

Missed Galaxy Z Fold 2 launch event? This infographic covers its basic features

Qualcomm is bringing 5G to budget smartphones with new Snapdragon 4-series chips

T-Mobile adds faster midband 5G coverage to more than 80 new cities and towns

Rogers expands 5G service to 50 more towns and cities

PUBG Mobile and 117 more Chinese apps banned by Indian Government

From The Forums:

Verizon CBRS auction failure

2.5GHz 5G (n41) expands to 81 new cities

Post merger service going downhill

Watch out T-Mobile, Verizon wins big at FCC mid band auction

Minor emergency. Cricket phone broke. No dealers in area. Will Att gophone take sim and work?

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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:

Asus Zenfone 7, 7 Pro get camera improvements with new update

Apple website 'event' to take place on September 8

It sure looks like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G just passed through the FCC

COVID Alert App Hits 2.2 Million Downloads in 30 Days, Reports 90 Infections

Slowest 5G speeds found in US and UK

From The Forums:

Does VZW Have Native None LTE 4G?

Preordering the Fold 2?

T-Mobile requested FCC approval to conduct extensive tests of 5G transmissions in C-band spectrum

On the topic of trade in for free note 20

Cdma-less

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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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