HoFo Blog

From The Web:

Top 10 trending phones of week 7

OnwardMobility shuts down, officially kills planned 5G BlackBerry

Apple's retail employees are reportedly using Android phones and encrypted chats to keep unionization plans secret

Whoever declared the megapixel wars over didn't tell the Motorola Frontier and its high-res 194MP camera

Wireless prices fell by 25%? – Big claims going down.

From The Forums:

Predictions for 2-22-22 on AT&T?

Now that Tracfone is part of Verizon.........

MiFi hotspot question??

syncing a calendar question

PPC PAYGO refill observations

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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, February 14th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, February 15th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, February 16th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 17th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, February 18th, 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 86 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

No Wi-fi Calling option on factory unlocked Galaxy S10 plus

Congrats to Taurus2313 for starting our one hundred and fourteenth 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:

Verizon service has been restored after customers couldn't make calls across parts of the US

Five obscure beginnings to some of our favorite smartphone features

Sony Explains How Its Groundbreaking 2-Layer CMOS Sensor Was Made

I used to think Chinese phones had too much bloatware - until I used an iPhone

FDA clears the first iPhone app for delivering insulin, rollout starts this spring

From The Forums:

Is there a way to manually combine different cards/phones into the same account?

T-Mobile welcome roaming text message 1 month late.

RedPocket ATT not receiving SMS

Quick question: on the new website, how do you move a phone number+balance to a new SIM card?

Tracfone's website won't let me create an account, anyone have ideas?

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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 has 56% share of the U.S. smartphone market

11 Best Smartphone Innovations Since the iPhone

Android’s toothless “Privacy Sandbox” fails to answer iOS tracking limits

Here are the Latest Cellphone Deals from Rogers, Telus, Bell and More from Feb. 16

Rogers increased several plan prices by $5 or $10 per month

From The Forums:

Is it "safe" to use multiple different SIMs in a Tracfone these days?

People who have used the 3G shutdown "free phone" deal, does TF force transfer your account?

Is it possible to use an AT&T KYOP SIM in a new Tracfone-branded (Verizon) phone?

VoLTE not working through VPN

spring prepaid old phone using for Tmoble

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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 S22 Ultra Review: This Is Your Galaxy Note Now

Setting up a Samsung phone is still the worst part of using one

Skagen Falster Gen 6 review

Garmin Instinct 2 lands with infinite battery life and more fitness features

Flashback: the birth of TouchWiz and the many, many platforms that it ran on

From The Forums:

Activate SIM from 2017?

new rewards page

Tracfone has important customer service message about Feb 22nd

Tracfone Alex I need Infosheet to Navigating the new websites

Advice on rewards points and 3G shutdown

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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 Samsung Galaxy S22 is the phone to buy if you are tired of mobile network issues

Samsung skipped seamless updates for the Galaxy S22 series… again

iPhone 6 Plus Added to Apple's 'Vintage Product' List

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun vows to challenge Apple with sharpened focus on the global high-end smartphone market

How Telegram Became the Anti-Facebook

From The Forums:

Apple vs Android Battery Life: Bad S4 & G6 Life

Has anyone upgraded yet?

"Insert SIM/SOS calls only" - Public 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:

Here’s what separates each model in Samsung’s Galaxy S22 lineup

The 5G BlackBerry is dead as OnwardMobility loses rights to BlackBerry name

Top 10 trending phones of week 5

Top 10 trending phones of week 6

How to Track Your Husband: AirTag vs Tile vs LandAirSea GPS Tracker

From The Forums:

No Wi-fi Calling option on factory unlocked Galaxy S10 plus

Another AT&T IMEI test page

Using Rewards for a Different Account

Just ported Tracfone to Red Pocket. My experience.

Some 4g Phones getting shutdown with 3G?

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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, January 31st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Februrary 1st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Februrary 2nd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, Februrary 3rd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, February 4th, 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 68 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Cannot purchase a phone from Tracfone that works on AT&T network anymore

Congrats to Ted6 for starting our one hundred and thirteenth 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.
---------

A quick heads-up that there won't be any posts from me next week; I'll be taking a much-needed break in Vancouver.

It's a trip that was actually supposed to happen last month (changed due to Omicron), and was originally the last leg of a family trip to Japan and Taiwan (also cancelled because of Covid). Now the only thing standing in our way is a potential blockade of truckers, set to roll in to Toronto this weekend.

Whatever happens I should be back at it on Valentine's Day — and please, no thirsty PMs this year... ya boy is taken.

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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 creates personal safety guide as AirTag concerns mount

Gee, I wonder how Apple Podcasts suddenly became a five-star app

Magic Eraser is crashing Google Photos on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

I Used Linux-Based PinePhone Daily For A Year. Here’s What I Learned!

The Best Phones With an Actual Headphone Jack

From The Forums:

Has anyone successfully re-SIMed a TF Nokia G300 from Verizon to AT&T SIM?

Tracfone shut off my service after I had upgraded my phone

Can I use VoLTE with a no-data plan?

FCC TF/Verizon Transition Hot Line

[LINK] HD Voice interop between Verizon and AT&T?

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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 6 is a hit: Google touts “record sales” in Q4 2021

Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+ rumoured to be delayed until March 11

Motorola Edge 30 Pro leaks in renders, confirm the Edge X30 design

FCC proposal would help combat ‘ringless voicemail’ robocalls

CRTC Chair on Drinking in Pub with Bell Exec: Just Beer with a Friend

From The Forums:

Cannot purchase a phone from Tracfone that works on AT&T network anymore

Phone swap from Moto e6 to flip...

Best MVNO when were forced to leave TF

Can I activate an xfinity mobile motorola one ace on verizon prepaid?

Verizon to turn on 2000 additional 5G enabled towers in February

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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 A13 5G review: functional, no-frills 5G

TCL's latest budget 5G phone is now available exclusively through Verizon

The Pixel 4a is no longer listed on the Google Store

Apple might let you use Face ID with a mask in the next iOS update

BlackBerry sells $600 million worth of mobile patents

From The Forums:

Nokia 5.3 Not on AT&T whitelist. Changed to T-Mobile sim. Tracfone said doesn't matter

Issues migrating from AT&T to Verizon with same phone.

How to access text messages on my Cricket Wireless phone when I'm outside of US?

3G Shutoff Date?

Activated a new iPhone XR from Total Wireless on Tracfone

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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:

Wordle has been bought by The New York Times, will ‘initially’ remain free for everyone to play

Android Messages beta starts properly displaying iOS Message reactions

OnePlus 9RT review: Two steps forward, one step back

Rogers, Telus, Bell Have Lowered Cellphone Plans by 25% as Agreed, Says Ottawa

Thanks to Joe Rogan, People Forced to Notice That Spotify Sucks

From The Forums:

Legacy Voice and ported landline

Moto G6 Play -- Calls Go Direct To Voicemail

Slow gUDP-will a new mifi 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, January 24th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 25th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, January 26th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, January 27th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, January 28th, 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 36 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

The New Unlocking Thread After 11.23.2021 - All Your Scenarios Answered

Congrats to medontknow for starting our one hundred and twelfth 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 4

Flashback: the Moto G was one of the best $200 smartphones you could buy in 2013

AT&T adds $45 / month unlimited prepaid plan with 5G that you can only get at Walmart

Joni Mitchell Pulling Music from Spotify in Solidarity With Neil Young

Spotify finally responds to Joe Rogan controversy with a plan to label podcasts that discuss COVID-19

From The Forums:

Still worth it? A cost analysis.

After 3G shutdown will there be any carriers for older phones?

AT&T Whitelisted TracFones AFAIK

SMS messages are delayed sometimes

New Wal-mart ATT Prepaid 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:

Apple Music Promotes Neil Young Following Removal From Spotify

Is YouTube Music a viable alternative to Spotify? Here’s what you need to know

Thousands of TracFone users saw their numbers ported to other carriers without their consent

Bell Let’s Talk Day 2022 Campaign Raises $8.2 Million

WhatsApp sets its sights on the US

From The Forums:

Tracfone live chat

Newbie's attempt to use points to buy phone

Need Rural Coverage - VZO Prepaid OR Visible?

T-Mobile home internet. KVD21 vs Nokia?

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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 Can Now Download iOS 15.3 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Apple Music Reported as Second Most Used Music Streaming Service Behind Spotify

The Galaxy S22 series just got 'unpacked' in full ahead of Samsung's event

How to take better night photos with the Pixel 6 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, or digital camera

Spotify picks Joe Rogan over Neil Young

From The Forums:

Trac-hack?

Moving Active Phone to Another Account

Anybody Notice a Dramatic Increase in Speeds?

AT&T's 5G buildout gets more ambitious

Verizon 5G Home availability expands to 900 cities

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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:

Nvidia Quietly Prepares to Abandon $40 Billion Arm Bid

Samsung officially confirms Galaxy Unpacked event on February 9

Xiaomi’s affordable Redmi Note 11 lineup goes global with 5G and 67W fast charging

Boost Celero 5G review: budget phone with budget battery life

Smartwatch blood pressure sensor technology is getting close

From The Forums:

C-band Coverage Map Now Available

Unlock question

LG Stylo 4 vs 5-- which is best?

Swap SIMs / phones within your account

Porting from Tracfone to Tello

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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 first foldable will be a pricey Pixel, but still cheaper than the competition

Microsoft Surface Duo finally receives Android 11 update

MediaTek's Dimensity 9000 beats the SD 8 Gen 1 and Exynos 2200 at Geekbench

Google sued by DC and three states for ‘deceptive’ Android location tracking

Joe Biden Formally Backs Consumers' Right to Repair Their Electronics

From The Forums:

MVNOs that don't require autopay or registration of payment method

Need iPhone with good volume

Google Pixel 6 On AT&T Prepaid

VodaFone UK eSIM - Can't text

Exclusive: We Found T-Mobile's Secret Weapon Against C-Band

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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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