Phone Scoop

Amazon has announced that it is killing off its Appstore on Android as of August 20, 2025. After after that date, apps purchased from the Amazon Appstore on Android may no longer function. The Appstore could be side-loaded onto Android devices and offered an…

AT&T has introduced SplitPay, a new, industry-first option to let post-paid customers who share a multi-line account split the bill. When using SplitPay, there is still a single "account owner" who is ultimately responsible for the whole amount. But the…

Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, the company's new "affordable" iPhone starting at $599, replacing the iPhone SE. (The iPhone SE was last updated in 2022 and started at $429.) The iPhone 16e is powered by the same A18 processor as the standard iPhone 16,…

Samsung is expanding its digital car key function to select Volvo and Polestar vehicles, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. The feature lets someone with a high-end Samsung Galaxy phone use their phone to unlock, lock, and start their car with only…

Apple and Google have both made TikTok available to download once again from their respective app stores. Almost a year ago, congress passed a law effectively banning the app over national security concerns, and President Biden signed it. TikTok challenged the…

Apple has launched an Android version of its Apple TV app, allowing people to watch the Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass streaming services on their Android device. Apple TV+ includes Apple original TV shows like Severance, Slow Horses, Masters of the Air, and…

Google has announced a major update to its Family Link service that adds "School Time" and parent-managed contacts for Android phones. This brings Family Link much closer to a complete service for parents, that previously would have required a third-party…

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, its newest chip to power mid-range smartphones. It offers across-the-board improvements compared to the 6 Gen 3, including 11% better CPU performance, 29% better GPU (graphics) performance, and 12% "power…

T-Mobile has opened up its new satellite coverage service to everyone in the US as the next phase of its beta testing program. The service is free for anyone who signs up (even Verizon and AT&T customers), until July. The company also announced pricing for the…

The United Kingdom has secretly ordered Apple to lets its security officials access user data stored in the cloud, even for users located in the US and other countries outside of the UK. Apple will be hard-pressed to comply, as its Advanced Data Protection…

Apple has launched a new service called Apple Invites for iCloud+ subscribers. Apple Invites is available as both a new iOS app and on the web at icloud.com/invites. iCloud+ subscribers can create events and invite people to RSVP. Anyone can RSVP, regardless…

The FCC has given its blessing for AST SpaceMobile to begin testing its commercial satellites that provide cellular coverage to existing, off-the-shelf cell phones anywhere in the US. AST has deals in place with both AT&T and Verizon to provide this service,…

At three stores, CVS is testing a new type of lock for its "display cabinets" that can be unlocked by consumers with their own phone, instead of requiring an employee with a key to access merchandise. Consumers must download and log in to the new CVS Health…

Google has released the first test version of Android 16 for curious early adopters and developers. One of the biggest new features is Live Updates, intended to "help users monitor and quickly access important ongoing activities", specifically,…

As previously announced by Verizon, the new Samsung Galaxy S25 series will support NTN satellite SOS service in remote areas of the US without land-based cellular service. The service works similarly to Apple's "Emergency SOS via satellite" feature. Verizon…

Samsung has taken the wraps off the Galaxy S25 series. The new models are slimmer than the S24 series, while offering better performance, better battery life, and greater durability. Samsung is also loading in more AI features, including more multi-modal…

When initially launch in beta over the last few minor versions of iOS, Apple Intelligence was opt-in, requiring a manual change to enable. In the next update to the OS, it will be turned on automatically, but an option will remain to disable it.

Samsung has effectively launched its own smartwatch for kids, the "Galaxy Watch for Kids experience on Galaxy Watch7 LTE, powered by Wear OS". Rather than launching a whole new device, the product is a software update available on the existing Galaxy Watch7…

President Trump has signed an executive order directing the Justice Department not to enforce the new "TikTok ban" law for 75 days. The law requires Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell the app. If it does not, any US company that enables the app to…

Straight Talk Wireless — a Verizon prepaid brand sold exclusively by Walmart — has upgraded its premium "Gold" and "Platinum" mobile service plans to offer more value for the same monthly price. Both plans now include unlimited "premium" data that won't be…