HoFo Blog

From The Web:

Top 10 trending phones of week 40

The best tablet and phone deals from Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

Samsung quarterly profit set to slump 25%, first decline in nearly three years

Apple knew a supplier was using child labor but took 3 years to fully cut ties, despite the company's promises to hold itself to the 'highest standards,' report says

Lufthansa Bans AirTags: Will Other Airlines Follow?

From The Forums:

Making the leap from Android to Iphone

Porting question

What do you know about T-Mobile Home Internet?

Tracfone Data About To Expire?

What Should I Use For My Caribbean Cruise In February 2023

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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 Tuesday, October 4th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 6th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, October 7th, 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 44 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Verizon Begins Shrinking TracFone, Inc.

Congrats to ShadowyD for starting our one hundred and forty-third 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 Pixel 7 series is now available to buy in these 17 countries

The biggest announcements from Google’s Pixel 7 event

Pixel Watch hands-on: Answering the biggest questions about Google’s first smartwatch

First iPhone 14 Plus Reviews, Unboxing Videos Hit the Web

Flashback: the second megapixel race

From The Forums:

Balance Glitch

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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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Pixel 7
6.3 inch OLED display, 1080 x 2400 pixels @ 416 ppi
Google Tensor G2 processor
50 MP wide & 12 MP ultrawide rear cameras
10.8 MP selfie cam with face unlock
8 GB RAM / 128 or 256 GB storage
4,355 mAh battery
Colours: Obsidian, Snow & Lemongrass
Price: from $599 USD / $799 CAD



Pixel 7 Pro
6.7 inch 120 Hz LTPO OLED display, 1440 x 3120 pixels @ 512 ppi
Google Tensor G2 processor
50 MP wide, 48 MP telephoto & 12 MP ultrawide rear cameras
10.8 MP selfie cam with face unlock
12 GB RAM / 128, 256 or 512 GB storage
5,000 mAh battery
Colours: Obsidian, Snow & Hazel
Price: from $899 USD / $1,179 CAD

You can preorder either today for delivery next week...

Source: Google Store (1) (2)

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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 Week 2022: Android Police’s celebration of everything Pixel

Google updates Weather, Fitbit, and Phone apps ahead of Pixel Watch event

Here’s where to watch the ‘Made by Google’ launch event

Pixel 6, 6a, 6 Pro on sale at Amazon again

Phones from and by Google: a visual history of the Pixel and its predecessors

From The Forums:

TracFone Branded Phones vs Others

Is the $40 plan worth it?

Is Page Plus still best or cheapest deal for holding onto a phone number? (i.e. $2.50/month)

What is Band 25?

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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:

Fitbit Sense 2 in-depth review: Everything you need to know!

Fitbit Versa 4 review: the good, the bad, the ugly

Fitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features from 2023 onward

The Pixel Watch dam bursts open with band styles, features, Fitbit promo, potential pricing leaked

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro review

From The Forums:

I have 10 active prepaid eSIMs on my iPhone 14 (and counting)

Pure talk android wifi calling help

Family plan can you make changes to account without destroying it.

Any problem with temporarily switching SIMs between phones?

Verizon to consolidate Tracfone brands, Page Plus ceasing activation's

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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:

FCC threatens to block calls from carriers for letting robocalls run rampant

There might not be an event, but October will still be a huge month for Apple releases

Android 14 is coming: Here’s what we know so far

Top 10 trending phones of week 38

Top 10 trending phones of week 39

From The Forums:

Verizon’s new $30 concierge charge for phone setup

verizon/tracfone depreciating brands

Verizon Begins Shrinking TracFone, Inc.

ios 16 no cellular data

Change from Red Pocket to 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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Sorry, no morning briefings or thread of the week this week; taking a quick trip to Vancouver for a wellness check on extended family. Back at it next Tuesday, October 4th!

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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 19th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 20th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 21st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 23rd, 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 32 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Tracfone eSim - Switching Today

Congrats to tekfranz for starting our one hundred and forty-second 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:

Apple rolls out iOS 16.0.2, addressing camera shake on new iPhones and copy/paste bug

Newly leaked images of the Motorola Razr 2022 suggest release to Western markets is imminent

Motorola’s new budget phones look surprisingly nice

This Android app brings the ‘Dynamic Island’ to Android

Telus defends credit card fee application as interventions surpass 4,000

From The Forums:

Verizon redefines no-contract wireless with Total by Verizon

Looking for T-Mobile compatible flip phone

Strange activation

Is eBay or Tracfone the best place to buy a phone?

T-Mobile map update - a lot of 5G UC listed - old mvno map gone

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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 14 earns a 7/10 score on iFixit thanks to new back assembly

Apple's hubris is standing between the iPhone and a fully baked always-on display

Telus Tells CRTC: Credit Card Processing Fee is ‘Just and Reasonable’

Verizon customers to see speed and performance benefits from 200 MHz C-band spectrum

European operators test-run holographic calls

From The Forums:

Raleigh, NC - Coverage Deteriorating?

US Mobile's $47 plan - please 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:

Google Pixel Watch color versions leak, along with price range for the base model

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review: noise cancellation domination

Amazfit Bip 3 Pro review

Smart G-Shock with classic 5000 series square case to be released

Opensignal’s 5G mobile experience awards names Canada’s big three as high performers

From The Forums:

Visible better than welcome unlimited

Taking this with a grain of salt regarding the unlimited 15 plan Call corporate to confirm?

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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:

DxOMark CEO says brands won’t send in a device if it isn’t likely to rank first

iPhone 14 Pro users report camera shakiness and grinding noise when using third-party apps

Apple’s fixing the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera shake

‘Made in India’ Smartphone Shipments Grew 16% YoY in Q2 2022; Domestic Manufacturing Push in Wearables Continues to Grow

Chinese mobile firms plan to set up plants elsewhere amid India crackdown

From The Forums:

Unlimited starter vs extra

What will happen if I try to to use the phone that is not on "approved list" on AT&T network?

Prepaid Compare Now Shows Which Plans Have Deprioritized Data

Recommendations for Android VoLTE (Business) Desk 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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 37

Vergecast: reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 8, and more

iPhone 14, 14 Pro experiencing iMessage, FaceTime issues after set up

Telus emails customers about incoming credit card fee before CRTC decision

Flashback: Apple is slow to adopt new tech, but only on iPhones

From The Forums:

Tracfone eSim - Switching Today

Activating an SM branded phone on an existing TF VZ line

New $15 Unlimited Plan

Safelink/ TracFone

Any free ways to check Hotspot speeds?

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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 12th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 13th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 14th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 15th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 16th, 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 35 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

With Verizon SIM, I Have Problems With Data

Congrats to SwampYankee1 for starting our one hundred and forty-first 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 iPhone 14 series, Apple Watch 8 and Watch SE now on sale

Tecno launches Camon 19 Pro Mondrian with changing colors

Snapchat for web is now available to everyone

The sooner Android accepts RCS is dead, the sooner we can choose the next messaging platform that matters

The Rise of Mobile Gambling Is Leaving People Ruined and Unable to Quit

From The Forums:

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G WiFi 6E Mobile Hotspot

Best eSim Prepaid for Emergency Back-up Phone

How much adding tablet/laptop and Apple Watch to Magenta/Max plan?

Yet Another Unlocking Question

No cellular data on iPhoneX after ISO16 update.

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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 adoption of iOS 16 is slightly quicker than iOS 15 during first 72 hours

Apple iPhone 14 Pro review: early adopter island

Apple iPhone 14 review: meet the iPhone 13S

Here’s every US phone that supports eSIM on Android

Google may be working on a ‘small-screen’ Pixel, but you probably shouldn’t get your hopes up

Five year update pledges don't mean much without removable batteries

From The Forums:

With Verizon SIM, I Have Problems With Data

Verizon’s Vestberg says 3Q wireless net adds will be negative again

T-Mobile CEO marks progress in decommissioning Sprint n

AT&T shutting down 5G Mid-band at night to save money, reduce energy consumption

Grandfathered Plan (Classic 1000 Minute--Talk)... is it time to upgrade?

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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:

Nothing boasts of six figure Phone 1 sales in its first month of sale in India

OnePlus 11 Pro leaks show an alert slider and a massive camera redesign

Motorola's 200MP cameraphone is now available outside of China

CRTC Sends Secret Shoppers to Wireless Carrier Stores Again, Shares Results

Google brings back its potato chips, but in Japan only

From The Forums:

Total Wireless Users Read This

Horrible experience trying to merge lines

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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 Satellite Service Kicks Off Smartphone Space Race

Pre-order an iPhone Pro now and it might come in October

You Can Now Download iOS 16 for iPhone, watchOS 9 for Apple Watch

Samsung September 2022 update rolling out for these Galaxy devices

Pixel 6a September update rolling out with fingerprint sensor ‘improvements’

From The Forums:

Rebranding Total Wireless iPhone SE

Tracfone phone and SIM rules questions

What is wrong with TF chat window?

Poor Verizon voice signal on Tracfone

How does FREE IPHONE 14 from Verizon 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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