HoFo Blog

From The Web:

Google Maps now estimates toll charges for your journey

Canada may finally kill COVID Alert — sorry to the 6 people still using it

Competition Bureau Wants to Fast-Track Hearing on Rogers-Shaw Merger

postmarketOS v22.06 brings easier upgrades, UI improvements to the mobile Linux distro

Thunderbird is taking over a beloved open-source email app to transform it into its own mobile client

From The Forums:

Discounted/free phone for CDMA upgrades?

5G+ without mmWave

My Verizon issue

is this phone any good Rino7 Pro 5.5 inch Android 10 4G

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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 23

Apple explains how it’s making your iPhone a full-fledged webcam for Mac

OnePlus 10 Pro’s 12GB RAM model arrives stateside on June 15th

Nothing Phone 1: Everything we know about it so far

Flashback: a decade of Xiaomi battery and fast charging tech

From The Forums:

New TF-VZ Scam

Anyway around Visible's phone model list?

These @#*&@ disconnected me

very bad outcome from chat session

Can I do this and how?

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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 6th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 8th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 9th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, June 10th, 2022

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

I am searching for a 4G phone which has an inbox and an outbox and DOES NOT have message threads.

Congrats to John Flushing for starting our one hundred and twenty-ninth 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:

The ugly economics behind Apple’s new Pay Later system

Customer Satisfaction with Canadian Bank and Credit Card Digital Experience Declines, J.D. Power Finds

Rogers files challenge to Competition Bureau efforts to block its takeover of Shaw

Google's getting rid of SafetyNet Attestation, but the root and ROM crowd shouldn't celebrate yet

These 4 features won’t be in iOS 16’s first public release

From The Forums:

Purchase data only plan with data that does not expire?

Airvoice won't release number for port-out

Older BYOP SIMs expired? SIM swap on Verizon?

Upgrade phone before switching?

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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:

​Amazfit Bip 3 goes live as budget smartwatches go to war

Meta reportedly shelves plans for dual-camera smartwatch

‘Google Pixel Watch app’ coming soon alongside Wear OS ‘Smart Unlock’ for Android

iOS 16 Lets You Transfer an eSIM Between iPhones via Bluetooth

iPhone 7 and older users are frustrated because they won’t get iOS 16

From The Forums:

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE no signal on GSMA AT&T MVNO (FreedomPop)

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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;

EU Agrees Deal on Common Phone Charger in Blow to Apple

The Underground Company That Hacks iPhones for Ordinary Consumers

New York state passes first-ever ‘right to repair’ law for electronics

Google Pixel and iPhones can now use an eSIM on Verizon’s BYOD program

Federal government opens consultation for 2024 spectrum auction

From The Forums:

Tracfone Class Action lawsuit

Page Plus Portal Closing When?

Do I have T-Mobile 55+ 5g or not?

This is a scam text, right?

Is it possible to back up or open text messages from Freedom pop messenger after losing service?

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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 WWDC 2022: the 16 biggest announcements

Here are all the iPhone models that support iOS 16

June’s Pixel Feature Drop: At a Glance flashlight & doorbell alerts, ‘pocket operator’ music maker

Pixel 6a gets new unboxing even as launch is still weeks away

T-Mobile announces Voice Over 5G (VoNR) and the Galaxy S21 is compatible

From The Forums:

Purchased Tracfone Moto G Stylus w/phone plan on it from HSN. I have a couple questions.

AT&T Unlimited Premium replaces AT&T Unlimited Elite

Recommendation for a single line for new user daughter

Visible to become a fully e-SIM carrier?

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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 Watch Apple’s WWDC Keynote 2022

Glasses or no glasses, this year’s WWDC is all about AR

iOS 16 can't fix all of Apple's iPhone problems

Top 10 trending phones of week 22

Flashback: A decade of Samsung Galaxy S camera tech

From The Forums:

I am searching for a 4G phone which has an inbox and an outbox and DOES NOT have message threads.

Thinking of switching to US Mobile - need feedback

4G LTE but no VoLTE ?

Does Prepaid qualify for add a line discounts?

Why does ST want me to switch from AT&T to Verizon service?

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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, May 30th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 31st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 1st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 2nd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, June 3rd, 2022

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

TF Verizon SIMs No Longer Reusable?

Congrats to lg800g user for starting our one hundred and twenty-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!

---------
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’s reportedly flat iPhone production target for 2022 isn’t a great sign

Massive podcast outage caused by Spotify’s failure to renew security certificate

T-Mobile problems in Northeast caused by power outage

Have an old iPad lying around? You might be able to make it run Linux soon

GNOME Shell for Mobile is Shaping Up VERY Nicely

From The Forums:

T-Mobile Senior Plans?

esim activation port-in question

What's the best pre-activation strategy: SIM or no SIM?

Transaction can’t be completed error 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.
---------

From The Web:

Qualcomm wants to buy ARM and it may need Samsung’s help

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which one to buy?

Instagram begins to roll out AMBER alerts across 25 countries

Microsoft just saved the Android ecosystem from a widespread security issue

Tim Hortons App Violated Privacy Laws by Collecting ‘Vast Amounts’ of Location Data, Concludes Probe

From The Forums:

It's back - SPIN-THE_WHEEL

eSIM on Tracfone?

Sprint LTE Sunset

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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:

Garmin announces Forerunner 955 with solar charging and Forerunner 255

Our verdict on the Garmin Instinct 2S GPS smartwatch

Poco Watch review – one of the best affordable smartwatches

Counterpoint: Smartwatch market grows in Q1, Apple maintains top spot

Apple’s digital state ID cards are now available for Maryland residents

From The Forums:

Alternative ways to authenticate account?

Does the AT&T Cell Booster work with Prepaid/Unlocked phones

no internet connection

Need advice in choosing next phone

Need a hotspot plan for Canada

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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 June 2022 update is now rolling out for these Galaxy devices

Samsung Galaxy A53 vs. Google Pixel 6a: Which deserves your $450?

Tech Industry Groups Are Watering Down Attempts at Privacy Regulation, One State at a Time

Apple can’t dismiss Cydia’s amended antitrust lawsuit, judge says

Rogers, Shaw Agree to Put Deal on Hold Until Competition Tribunal Decision

From The Forums:

Harvesting buckets before phone goes inactive

Anyone currently on Twigby? I have a few questions and a favor.

DENT high ping times and slow speeds on Tmobile

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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 iPhone Lock Screen Is Poised for an Upgrade With iOS 16

Likely Google Pixel tablet gets USI certification and stylus support

Huawei phones haven't been banned but consumers are turning away from them

You can now download the (second) earliest known build of Android ever

Flashback: some crazy phones had three or even four SIM card slots

From The Forums:

TF Verizon SIMs No Longer Reusable?

Anxious for Elon's new phone

So a unlock Verizon branded phone will only work with CDMA prepaid plans?

Road Trip Calling Questions

Asking for recommendations for phone plan. I'm currently on Red Pocket.

---------
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, May 23rd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 25th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 26th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, May 27th, 2022

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

Bullying text message from Tracfone

Congrats to happygrrl1 for starting our one hundred and twenty-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:

Amazon Third-Party Delivery Driver Injuries Increased 40% in 2021, According to Report

Apple VP discourages retail workers from joining a union in leaked video

Apple’s iOS App Economy Now Supports 2.2 Million Jobs in the U.S.

Google seems to be panicking as its free news empire starts to crumble around it

Canada’s Telecom Oligopoly Is a Hungry Beast That Will Never Be Sated

From The Forums:

Questions about wi-fi calling

Network unlocking my visible iPhone (fully paid off) before 60 days using external services?

PayGo or Pay-per-use plans

Cricket phone notification: giving you more

Using rSIM to network unlock iPhone 13 in 2022... does it work for both eSIM and SIM slot?

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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 iPhone development schedule hit by China lockdowns

Google reportedly further postpones foldable Pixel phone

Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6: Which Android powerhouse is the best pick

Saskatchewan Not Happy It Has to Rip Out Huawei 4G Gear

I converted my Visible SIM card to an eSIM on Android: Here’s what happened

From The Forums:

Galaxy A53 5G problem with consumer cellular

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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:

Xiaomi unveils Mi Band 7, Redmi Buds 4 and Redmi Buds 4 Pro

Sony LinkBuds S review: supreme comfort doesn’t come cheap

Google Pixel Buds A-Series review: Basic, but not bad

AirPods Pro 2: Design, features, release date, price, more

Amazon finally gets with the times, brings USB-C to the Fire 7 tablet

From The Forums:

Bullying text message from Tracfone

Very confused by totally weird Tracfone behavior

Is there an easy way to confirm the account PIN without customer service?

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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 confirms that its partnership with Leica has ended

Motorola confirms next Razr will have Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

MediaTek Dimensity 1050 is the company’s first chip with mmWave 5G

Material You on Android 12 awarded prestigious iF Gold Design Award

Google nearly quadruples its share of North American smartphone market to a whopping 3%

From The Forums:

Switching from ATT BYOP SIM to Verizon BYOP SIM on iPhone SE that was SIM hot swapped a few times?

US Mobile requires unlocked phones???

IMS Service stoppage with LG phones on T-Mobile and MVNOs

IMS Service: Major nationwide LG device hang associated with T-Mobile & MVNOs

Some LG Android phones stopped to work on T-Mobile network today, May 23 2022

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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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