HoFo Blog

From The Web:

Google at 25: 5 Google products you've never heard of or forgot all about

Apple defends Google Search deal in court: ‘There wasn’t a valid alternative’

Motorola discounts select phones for its 95th anniversary sale

Moto G84 review

Google Podcasts shutting down in 2024 for YouTube Music

From The Forums:

Moto G Pure no data or mobil network after last update

Upgrading Phones

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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:

iPhone 15 series shatters sales records in China

'Categorically Terrible,' and Other Early Reactions to Apple's New FineWoven Accessories

CMF by Nothing introduces three new products: Buds Pro, Watch Pro, and 65W GaN charger

Honor V Purse is a foldable phone meant to be worn like a fashion accessory

Bell, Vodafone, Verizon do transatlantic holographic call with the worst holograms you’ve ever seen

From The Forums:

T-Mobile gets a little closer to accessing its 2.5 GHz spectrum from Auction 108

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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:

Nearly 500 Brands Exited Smartphone Market During 2017-2023

iPhone 15 Pro Teardowns Reveal Anti-Third Party Repair Tactics

Pixel 8 series rumored to include seven years of software support

Android at 15: Everything the T-Mobile G1 had that your phone doesn't

Top 10 trending phones of week 38

From The Forums:

iPhone 15 Adds VoNR Toggle

Swapping iPhone 15 (eSIM) line with iPhone 12 (physical SIM) on Verizon?

*#2263# Gone

S22 - Check battery cycles / health?

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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, September 18th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 20th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 21st, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 22nd, 2023

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 49 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Best multi-line / family plans?

Congrats once again to sillyette for starting our one hundred and eighty-eighth 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:

First Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Reviews are Out

Wearables Week 2023: Our big smartwatch and fitness tracker celebration

Fitbit updates its app and teases something for September 28th

Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Global Edition: Unofficially available, officially exciting

Google Pixel 8a allegedly leaks with rounded design

From The Forums:

Target now charging taxes/fees on T-Mobile pre-paid cards.

LG G8X ThinQ - no wifi calling option visible (Fido)

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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 iPhone 15 will now tell you how many charge cycles are on its battery

Google Pixel phones will show battery cycle counts starting with Android 14 QPR1

iPhone 15 and Android phones will be able to charge each other thanks to USB-C

A history of Apple making us buy new cables

A literary history of fake texts in Apple's marketing materials

From The Forums:

Which Do I Believe?

Decommissioning one of two TracFone phones.

Can’t Receive Transfer PIN Because AT&T SIM Card Was Deactivated Suddenly Today

I get iMessages on my iPad mini but not on my phone

Obi periodically can't dial out

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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 are the First iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus Reviews

First iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max Reviews are Out

Five important iOS 17 security features coming to iPhone

T-Mobile users say other people’s account information is appearing in their app

Don't buy the Apple iPhone 15

From The Forums:

Can Freedompop be used with Android phones?

Help with Available Networks please!

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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:

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 now seeding to compatible phones and tablets

iPhone 15 line to keep physical SIM tray in Canada

Here’s how Apple’s new iPhone 15 models compare to some of the best Android phones

Android 13 September security update rolling out for Pixel

Here are the latest emoji coming to Android and iOS with Emoji 15.1 update

From The Forums:

iPhone 12 ban

Iphone wont unlock after 60 days!

Verizon Enables 5G SA on iPhone

Pay to unlock

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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 announces iPhone 15 with USB-C, a camera upgrade, and the Dynamic Island

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max announced with titanium bodies and an Action Button

Apple announces Apple Watch Series 9, and it has a handy double-tap feature

Top 10 trending phones of week 36

Top 10 trending phones of week 37

From The Forums:

Best multi-line / family plans?

5g+ Access on Pre-paid?

Annual service time (only) using Reward points?

Visual Voicemail

Sim Swap

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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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iPhone 15 & Plus
6.1 or 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR display with dynamic island
A16 Bionic chip
48 MP main & 12 MP ultrawide rear cameras
12 MP selfie cam with Face ID
128 / 256 / 512 GB storage
USB-C connector (USB 2)
iOS 17
Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
Starts at $799 or $899 USD / $1,129 or $1,279 CAD



iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max
6.1 or 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR display with dynamic island
A17 Pro chip
48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide & 3 or 5x telephoto rear cameras
12 MP selfie cam with Face ID
128 / 256 / 512 GB / 1 TB storage
USB-C connector (USB 3)
Action button
iOS 17
Colours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
Starts at $999 or $1,199 USD / $1,449 or $1,749 CAD

All models available from 09-22.

Specs via Apple: (1) (2)

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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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Fyi there will be no morning briefings nor threads of the week while yours truly and his girlfriend take a quick getaway to Vancouver and Whistler. We're not expecting any snow in the mountains, and the last time I checked the town wasn't on fire, either. Definitely a plus.

Unfortunately I'll be away for the iPhone launch (not on purpose, I swear!), but there will be lots of coverage when I get back. Hope everyone is having a great September so far!

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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, September 4th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 6th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 7th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 8th, 2023

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 43 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Lowest service time cost per month AND low PayGo add-on cost per GB

Congrats to PaulCrawhorne for starting our one hundred and eighty-seventh 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:

IFA 2023: the biggest announcements from Europe’s big tech show

Best in Show: Our IFA 2023 top wearable tech picks

iOS 16.6.1 fixes a big iPhone security vulnerability used to install Pegasus spyware

Google Shares ‘Sneak Peek’ at Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro

The mobile game funding a revolution in Myanmar

From The Forums:

Wifi Calling on old lines

Boost: HowTo ensure you get AT&T service

ATT photo storage

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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 Note 10 and Note 10+ are dead as updates come to an end

Sony Xperia 5 V is the compact flagship Android phone enthusiasts always wanted

Motorola Edge 40 Neo will debut on September 14

China dodges western 5G chip embargo with new Huawei Mate 60 phone

China bans iPhone use for government work

From The Forums:

"Google Voice's call recording function will go away soon." Of course it is...another feature gone!

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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 EU targets Google, WhatsApp, and more with tough new DMA rules

Here are the detailed camera specs of the iPhone 15 series

Google's official Pixel Phone Simulator shows off the 8 Pro

5 things Google needs to fix with the Pixel 8 series

Samsung beat Google to the punch on physical SIM to eSIM conversions

From The Forums:

Current Best Method To Use Points To Add Minutes To Phone NOT In Account With The Points?

update only using wifi

T-Mobile Launches Free Phone Promo For New Prepaid Customers, But Only In Select Markets

VoIP + UNL tablet plan strategy for lowest cost, high GB/mo

The complex story behind T-Mobile's spectrum struggles

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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 says iMessage isn’t popular enough to play nice with other apps

Foxconn's promise to invest $10 billion in Wisconsin is now a distant memory

Federal government presents Google, Meta, with price tag exceeding $230 million over Online News Act

Leaker reveals iPhone 15 colours ahead of Apple’s September event

The 11 best, worst, and weirdest Android Easter eggs of all time

From The Forums:

Lowest service time cost per month AND low PayGo add-on cost per GB

Delta Air Lines: It's all good with 5G

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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 launches new 'Apps by Apple' website promoting its 'powerful and intuitive apps'

Apple will tout the USB-C switch as a boon for users, but internally it is worried

5 ways the ‘Samsung ecosystem’ is no longer just an Apple wannabe

Google sets its Pixel 8 launch event for October 4th

Top 10 trending phones of week 35

From The Forums:

Samsung A14 5G - is there a way to fix the screen color?

New Unlimited plan from AT&T Prepaid!

Spin the wheel - look what I got or didn't

Instabridge Mobile eSIM - 10GBs @ $14/mo

RedPocket - is anyone else seeing "This MDN does not belong to this customer"?

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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, August 28th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, August 29th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, August 30th, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 1st, 2023

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 15 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Add Service From Orbic Flip To Pure with UT&T

Congrats once again to WheelieBoot for starting our one hundred and eighty-sixth 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:

Galaxy Note is definitely dead; Samsung foldable sales have passed the beloved series

Google kills two-year “Pixel Pass” subscription after just 22 months

No, they did not do surgery on a banana over 5G

Following Elon Musk’s lead, Big Tech is surrendering to disinformation

Social media is dead

From The Forums:

Tracfone Moto G Stylus 5G (2021) with 1500 Talk/Text/Data, $60

Travelling to US from Canada - Best Options for short-term plan?

Any way to stay logged into T-mobile account?

Is my Plan Good?

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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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