Phone Scoop

Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile have both launched emergency messaging via satellite for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 9 series Android phones. In the coming weeks, they will also launch non-emergency text messaging via satellite. The…

As announced and promised last August, Verizon is now launching non-emergency text messaging via satellite in cellular dead zones for compatible Android phones. Currently, phones compatible with this NTN technology include the Google Pixel 9 series and the…

Google has announced its newest mid-range Pixel phone, the Pixel 9a. At $499, it's significantly more affordable than $799 Pixel 9. Upgrades over last year's Pixel 8a include a display that's 35% brighter, an IP68 water-resistance rating (improved from IP67),…

T-Mobile has achieved a record-breaking downlink (download) data speed of 4.3 Gbps on its 5G network using a Samsung Galaxy S25 in real-world conditions. The test leverages T-Mobile's 5G SA (stand-alone) network and six-carrier aggregation (6CA). 6CA is a…

T-Mobile is raising rates on some of its older service plans by $5/line. The company did something similar with a different set of old plans last year. All affected customers should have received notice last Thursday. The company refused to explain exactly…

Google announced plans to infuse its Gemini generative AI into Google Assistant almost everywhere Assistant is available, including older mobile devices. Effectively, Gemini will replace Assistant. The change also applies to other types of devices, including…

The RCS industry standard for enhanced messaging has been updated to officially support standardized End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). Further, Apple has committed to support it in future implementations of RCS in iOS. This will greatly improve the security and…

The newest beta version of Android introduces a new feature that lets certain supported phones — such as the Pixel 9 series — use Auracast with Bluetooth hearing aids that support it. Auracast is a broadcast audio technology that lets many Bluetooth…

The third public beta version of Android 16 is available now, and brings "platform stability", which means developers can begin finalizing and releasing apps that are specifically designed to be compatible with Android 16. The final version of Android 16 is…

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released a new software tool that it hopes can alert people (such as protesters) when someone (such as police) may be operating an IMSI catcher (commonly known by the brand name Stingray) nearby. An IMSI catcher…

Apple has confirmed that it is taking the company "longer than we thought to deliver" a new version of Siri with better awareness of your personal data and the ability to take action within apps. Apple first announced the features as part of Apple Intelligence…

Utah has just passed a law that would require app store operators like Apple and Google to verify users' ages and require parental approval for minors to download new apps. Other states are considering similar bills, but Utah's is the first to pass. Apple has…

Google is enhancing its Messages app (the default Android app for RCS and SMS) with on-device AI to detect scam conversations and alert users. While the app already detects obvious spam and up-front scams, the new feature tracks ongoing conversations that may…

Google is rolling out changes to its Play app store that will make it easier for users to find apps that include home-screen widgets. Users will now be able filter searches specifically for apps with widgets, and apps with widgets will get a special badge on…

First teased at CES, TCL's next NXTPAPER phone for the US now has more confirmed specs. We now know that it will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, and have expandable storage plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. The US version will come with more…

Samsung has announced three new models in its A series of affordable phones for 2025: the Galaxy A56 5G, A36, and A26. These cover the price points of $500, $400, and $300, respectively, rounding out the lineup with the $200 A16 5G that came out in January.…

A company called Constellation Technologies & Operations is preparing to launch a test satellite for its own new 5G-from-space system. Constellation's will be the first such system to use high-frequency mmWave radio spectrum. This spectrum has the potential…

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City is working with Google Public Sector to use the sensors in off-the-shelf smartphones, combined with AI, to find defects in its train tracks faster, earlier, and more cost-effectively than…

Google has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to launch its "Loss of Pulse Detection" feature of the Pixel Watch 3 in the US. The Pixel Watch 3 already offers heart rate monitoring for health and fitness features. Now, it can…

The FCC has announced proceedings to explore opening up more of the C Band to "more intensive use", possibly including lucrative mid-band 5G service. This large swath of spectrum spans 3.98 – 4.2 GHz, also known as the Upper C Band. The Lower C Band (3.45…