Phone Scoop

Qualcomm today fully announced the Snapdragon 888 chip and provided details on its features and performance. As the company's new top-end chip for phones, the 888 is expected to power many flagship-tier Android phones in 2021, just as its predecessor the 865…

At Qualcomm's Snapdragon Tech Summit event, the company announced its next top-end Snapdragon chip, the Snapdragon 888. The 888 is expected to power most flagship Android phones in 2021. Although Qualcomm is saving many details for tomorrow's keynote, it did…

Samsung today launched new color options for two of its flagship phones, available "in limited quantities". The Galaxy Note20 will be available in a new Mystic Red color. This new color joins the current line-up that also includes Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green…

SnapChat has launched Spotlight, a new feature that seems designed to compete more directly with TikTok. Like TikTok, Spotlight will use an algorithm to suggest new videos from outside your social network that you might enjoy. Uniquely, the feature will allow…

T-Mobile today became the first major wireless provider to launch 988, the new three-digit emergency number for those in need of free mental health support. Dialing the number connects you directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of…

Both Google and Nvidia today announced that they are bringing their respective cloud-based game-streaming services to Apple's iOS in the form of a Safari web app, following similar announcements from Microsoft and Amazon. Nvidia GeForce Now is available in…

Google is starting to roll out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent over RCS using the Google Messages app. The feature provides security and privacy by ensuring that messages cannot be intercepted and read in transit between phones, not even by…

Google today launched a major revamp of its Google Pay app with a new interface and several major new features. Instead of a stack of cards and list of transactions, the new interface centers around the people and businesses you exchange money with, with a…

Apple today announced the "App Store Small Business Program", which amounts to a major reduction of the company's controversial 30% commission from app developers. Starting January 1, 2021, businesses earning $1 million or less in annual proceeds can apply for…

Ting introduced new rate plans today that completely revamp the way the MVNO charges for service. The company previously offered fixed allotments of data, voice, and text messages, which could be customized individually. The new plans join the rest of the…

Twitter started rolling out its new Fleets feature globally today, after testing the feature in several countries in recent months. Fleets are like Tweets, but fleeting, because they are only visible for 24 hours. They appear to followers at the top of their…

Samsung's Galaxy XCover Pro is now available from AT&T for $510. The phone was first launched by Samsung at the start of the year as an unlocked phone for use on the Verizon network. With its launch on AT&T, the XCover Pro is now a certified FirstNet Ready…

CVS locations nationwide now accept payment via QR code, for a safer, touchless checkout experience. The system is compatible with the QR code feature of both the Venmo and PayPal apps. With either app, customers can draw funds for payment from an existing…

TikTok will remain available and in business in the US for now, as the Commerce Department finally announced today that it will not enforce the order — that was set to go into effect today — which would have effectively shut down the app in the US. The new…

Roku's latest software update for Roku streaming devices includes support for Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. It will be available in the coming days for Roku TVs, and is available now for most standalone Roku devices.

Google Photos will no longer offer unlimited free backup of new "High quality" content from non-Pixel phones starting June 1, 2021. Since launch, Google Photos — available for both iOS and Android — has been unique in offering this free lifetime service.…

MediaTek today announced the Dimensity 700, the company's most affordable 5G chipset to date. The chip should enable new 5G phones at prices well below $400. The 700 supports several advanced features, including support for 5G carrier aggregation (for faster…

Nokia's first flagship phone in the US in many years is the Nokia 8 V 5G UW for Verizon. The 8 V is a variant of the Nokia 8.3 5G, Nokia's first 5G phone globally. The 8 V adds mmWave 5G and comes in a Meteor Gray finish, but is otherwise identical to the 8.3…

Samsung will offer a version of its Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE) with 256 GB of built-in storage, double the amount previously available. The new option will be available from Samsung as well as carriers in Cloud Navy for $770 starting tomorrow.

T-Mobile and the FCC have agreed to settle an FCC investigation started in September 2019 alleging that Sprint defrauded the US government by collecting approximately $8 million per month in Lifeline subsidies for 885,000 ineligible accounts. Lifeline helps…