Phone Scoop

Samsung has announced several major new features for its comprehensive Health app. Starting with version 6.28, users can import their medical records, including test results, prescriptions, hospital visits, and vaccinations. The app offers "meaningful insights…

T-Mobile and AT&T have submitted formal objections to the FCC over its proposed rule requiring carriers to unlock new phones after 60 days, regardless of whether the phone is fully paid off. (This type of unlocking would let customers use their phone with a…

Qualcomm's newest flagship chip for flagship phones is the Snapdragon 8 Elite. For the first time in a chip for phones, Qualcomm is using its own, all-new Oryon CPU architecture, the fruit of its acquisition of Nuvia in 2021. Qualcomm claims the new Oryon CPU…

Google is improving how its Chrome web browser on Android integrates with third-party auto-fill services such as password managers. Currently, such software must use a "compatibility mode" in Chrome that can be glitchy and is being phased out. Starting in…

The FCC has adopted new rules that will require 100% of cell phones sold in the US to be hearing-aid compatible (HAC). The FCC is also modifying its rules to incorporate Bluetooth connections to hearing aids. Currently, phone manufacturers and service…

Android 15 is finally, officially launching, starting today with Pixel devices. This version had an unusually long beta testing period. Among many new features, the biggest may be a suite of new anti-theft features. Most interesting is Theft Detection Lock,…

JLab's new Go Pop ANC are the new most affordable Bluetooth earbuds on the market with ANC (active noise cancellation), at just $30. The buds have a decent feature list, too, with a "Be Aware" pass-through mode, 10mm drivers, customizable EQ, IP55 rating for…

Cricket has launched updated versions of its two most affordable 5G phones. The Cricket Magic 2 5G replaces the Cricket Magic 5G. It has a much larger battery at 5,000 mAh (vs. 4,000 mAh before), a new MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, and adds a 5 megapixel…

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T have put out detailed information on how they're preparing for Hurricane Milton and responding to Hurricane Helene. For the first time, T-Mobile is activating Starlink Direct-to-Cellular satellite SMS service for its customers,…

T-Mobile and SpaceX have received special permission from the FCC to test their new satellite coverage technology in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The SpaceX Starlink system used by T-Mobile works with essentially all existing T-Mobile phones, using an…

Google has enhanced its Google Lens feature on mobile to support voice queries while doing a visual search with your phone's camera. On both iOS and Android, you can now ask Google questions like "why did the artist paint this?" or "what kind of clouds are…

Tracfone, a Verizon prepaid brand, has revised its plans to add more value. Plans that previously included 2–10 GB of data now include twice as much, up to 20 GB, for the same price. Tracfone is further enhancing these plans by now allowing mobile hotspot at…

The Iris Ally is a new medical alert device from Consumer Cellular. The device and service includes automatic fall detection, a feature that competitors charge extra for. The Ally is small, weighs 1.5 ounces, and is fully waterproof. It can hang from a…

OpenSignal has released its latest annual ranking of 5G networks worldwide. T-Mobile USA and Puerto Rico came in first in 5G availability among all 5G networks on the planet. In other key categories — like 5G download speed — no US carrier cracks the…

Peeblebee has launched a new lineup of "Universal" Bluetooth item-tracking tags that are the first to be compatible with both Apple Find My and Google's Android Find My Device networks. The $35 tags are rechargeable and come in three form factors: Tag, Card,…

EchoStar has reached an agreement to sell its Dish satellite TV business — including its Sling streaming TV service — to DirecTV. This will help the company "focus more clearly on enhancing and further deploying its nationwide 5G Open RAN wireless…

Many Verizon customers are reporting an outage in mobile service. Reports started around 9:30 Eastern this morning. DownDetector shows the majority of issues on the east coast. Verizon says it is aware of an issue and is working to resolve it.

Samsung has revealed the Galaxy S24 FE, this year's edition of the company's most affordable model in the flagship S-series. Compared to last year's S23 FE, this model has a larger 6.7-inch display (with 120 HZ refresh), and a larger 4,700 mAh battery. It's…

The 3GPP (standards body for cellular technology) has agreed to make its NTN satellite service spec compatible with Iridium's satellites in 3GPP Release 19, due by the end of 2025. This will add a major new provider to the standards-based NTN ecosystem.…

The FCC today announced that wireless calls to 988 will be routed to nearby suicide & crisis centers based on the caller's actual location, instead of the previous area-code-based routing. This will make the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline work more like 911,…