HoFo Blog

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, April 25th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, April 29th, 2022

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

Net10 Network/SIM transfers and WiFi calling

Congrats to Slepy for starting our one hundred and twenty-third 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:

Google’s ad-tracking overhaul continues with first developer preview of Privacy Sandbox on Android

Brave and DuckDuckGo are blocking Google AMP, putting another nail in its coffin

How Democracies Spy on Their Citizens

Rogers’ Freedom Mobile Sale Process Called ‘Non-Competitive Sham’ by Original Founder

It’s the Billionaires’ Internet, and We’re Just Posting on It

From The Forums:

Google Gmail app issue

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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’s everything new in Android 13 Beta 1 [Gallery]

LineageOS 19 based on Android 12 is now officially available

A year after LG left the smartphone business, Samsung is the big winner

Apple Begins Selling iPhone Repair Parts to Customers (Finally!)

The most advanced mobile hotspot yet has C-band 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and 2.5Gbps ethernet

From The Forums:

Can't receive calls

US Mobile vs Visible

Question On New Line Of Service With Device Discount?

No cell sevice (unless I airplane)

Verizon LTE vs 5G Home Internet

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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:

New Vivosmart 5 puts Garmin back in the fitness tracker game

Fitbit Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications will only be available in the US, and this is what they look like

Here’s somebody actually wearing the Pixel Watch and Google’s 20mm band [Gallery]

Nine ‘Pixel Watch’ photos leak — and one wacky story

Samsung getting rid of the rotating bezel would be a stupid, stupid, stupid idea

From The Forums:

Tracfone has incorrect/faulty IMEI info--is correction possible?

Total Wireless iphone unlock - 60 days or 60 days of service

What safeguards are available from TF from sim swap scams

Chat without getting text verification?

Roaming Deprioritization

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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:

It's official: Elon Musk just bought Twitter for $44 billion

Tesla Pulls Apple Move, Ditches Mobile Charger for New Cars

Apple hires anti-union lawyers in escalating union fight

5G is a joke and the iPhone is the well-timed punchline

The Pixel 6 isn't selling very well at carriers, even with high salesperson kickbacks

From The Forums:

the cheap and easy way to extend existing line (Verizon) is this, ~$90 ?

Possible to combine a TF phone with Verizon SIM with a BYOP AT&T SIM?

Phone not receiving calls.

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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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 15

Top 10 trending phones of week 16

The OnePlus 10 Pro Review: Lights, camera and not a lot of action

Lapsus$ hackers breached T-Mobile’s systems and stole its source code

Ottawa faces blowback for plan to regulate internet

From The Forums:

Just wanted to say some nice things about Tracfone!

Refilling 1 year 1200/1200/3GB on unlocked phone

Whoa, will this shortcut work?

Can i access UC or not?

Net10 Network/SIM transfers and WiFi calling

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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, April 11th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 14th, 2022

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

Help a Cranky Old Gal Out (Tracfone site issues)

Congrats to VexedOldHag for starting our one hundred and twenty-second 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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FYI there won't be any new briefings from yours truly for the rest of this week and next; the girlfriend and I are taking a birthday trip to explore Alberta — specifcally Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff.

Should be back to business as usual on Monday, April 25th. Happy Easter, everyone!

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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:

New Google Fi customers can get $399 Pixel 6, $199 5a

Google Pixel 6a now expected to launch in Canada

iPhone maker Pegatron halts production at plants in Shanghai and Kunshan due to COVID restrictions

iOS 16: Here's what we know so far about new features, supported devices, and more

T-Mobile Secretly Bought Its Customer Data from Hackers to Stop Leak. It Failed.

From The Forums:

Using TF Samsung A51, LG Premier Pro, Moto E4 on Verizon postpaid?

T-Mobile SIM - Where to get?

Tablet Plans - a Word of Caution When Canceling Phone Line

Verizon UP rewards changing.

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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:

Polar Pacer Pro and Pacer want to help you walk before you can run

Fitbit app gets clearance for AFib notifications on select trackers and smartwatches

This is Google's new 'Wallet' icon, how it might fit in with Pay

Apple Showcases How Digital IDs Work in Wallet, Canadians Can Only Dream

Success and Failure at Pebble

From The Forums:

DG sim kit

Need Help Buying an Airtime Card with Rewards Points

SEAMLESS, Swift Device Switch *BUT* Odd Subsequent Issue

What a cluster!

Notification??

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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's LTE-only Galaxy A13 debuts with a better screen, more cameras, and a 50% off deal

Samsung Galaxy A53 review: Cheaper for a reason

Google Pixel 6a benchmarks appear, and it even beats the Pixel 6

Google Pixel bug randomly changes your ringtone, notification, and alarm sounds

Google Fi cuts unlimited plan pricing while increasing high-speed data

From The Forums:

Wifi Calling on Tracfone

WIFI Caliing on US Mobile GSM

Activating with $10 plan - any successes recently?

Motorola One Ace 5g Uw on Red Pocket CDMA

Update question

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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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 14

Google Maps brings traffic-light and stop-sign icons to navigation

Hands-On: Android 12L is a big step in the right direction for tablets

Expert RAW 1.0.01 update for Galaxy devices improves low light performance

Apple wins a patent for Killing the Notch and placing their TrueDepth camera system behind the Display so as to not interfere with content

From The Forums:

Help a Cranky Old Gal Out (Tracfone site issues)

new phone, no minutes

Prepaid Plan Comparison Site Updated

Harvesting Minutes from 1500/1500/365 BYOP Sim

FreeUP - Sporadic Coverage, Can Continue Call But Can't Initiate Call

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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, April 4th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 5th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 7th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, April 8th, 2022

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

"FREE" upgrade to OnePlus Nord N200 5G: + Taxes/fees + $10 SIM kit + Forced change to $3/mo?

Congrats to andyk88 for starting our one hundred and twenty-first 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!

---------
Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

Android faces a performance crisis that only Google can fix

First Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus phone may launch sooner than you think

Apple stops signing iOS 15.4 following iOS 15.4.1 release with battery life fixes

Globalive Capital ramping up efforts to buy Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile

TAG Heuer’s latest Wear OS smartwatch runs $2,650 and comes with free golf balls

From The Forums:

"FREE" upgrade to OnePlus Nord N200 5G: + Taxes/fees + $10 SIM kit + Forced change to $3/mo?

replacement phone

lg g7 or g8 phone question

T-mobile Business Magenta $10 Tablet Plan Plus Free Samsung A7 Tablet

Tracfone doesn't work in Yuma

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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 iPhone SE (2022) review

Apple iPhone SE (2022) review: The mind is willing, but the body is weak

Samsung Will Begin Selling Smartphone Repair Parts Directly to Customers

Google Play Store cracks down on outdated apps

IFA 2022 is on, expect lots of new phones and gadgets in early September

From The Forums:

Buy 1-year add-on for TF-sourced phone, then transfer to non-TF BYOP?

My call did not go through until I was connected to wifi

Waited over 40 minutes for a customer service rep

Best time to sign up for Party Pay - just before billing cycle ends?

Can't get into rewards

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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’s WWDC22 kicks off June 6th as an online event

Android may get its own built-in Bluetooth tracker detection

Whoop 4.0 v Fitbit Charge 5: Fitness tracker shoot-out

Huawei Watch GT 3 v Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Digital iPhone car keys expand to 2022 Genesis, Kia models

From The Forums:

FirstNet News

Called Tracfone, and Tracfone CSR Handled issues well

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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.
---------

From The Web:

Google issues April update for its Pixels

5 things you'll hate about switching from Android to iOS

iPad Air (2022) review: Making $1,000 Android tablets look silly

Canadian Telecom Complaints Drop: Here’s How Rogers, Telus and Bell Fared

Sailfish OS 4.4 "Vanha Rauma" Released With Camera App Improvements, Updated Gecko

From The Forums:

"Shipping Partner" involved why don't they just take it to USPO?

Are all AT&T MVNO having 4G VoLTE issues (with 3G shutdown)?

Android 11 Auto Update

Verizon unit TracFone reaches $13.4 mln U.S. false claims settlement

Bill Cramming, Things Added Without Permission

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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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 13

3 LG phones will get Android 12 soon, despite the fact it doesn’t make handsets anymore

Replaceable Batteries Are Coming Back To Phones If The EU Gets Its Way

Fitbit preps likely Versa 4 and Sense 2, no sign of Wear OS

The Ominous Cell Phone Warning Ukraine Is Giving Their Soldiers

From The Forums:

"FREE" upgrade to OnePlus Nord N200 5G: + Taxes/fees + $10 SIM kit + Forced change to $3/mo?

Lost Tracfone service on an AT&T-approved device

Samsung A20 not working

How much wifi data does a cell phone call use?

Does AT&T still force connection to attwifi?

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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, March 28th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 29th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 30th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 31st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, April 1st, 2022

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

TF ATT BYOP - Cant dial out to ANY number

Congrats to pitflyer for starting our one hundred and twentieth 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!

---------
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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