Hands On with the TCL 50 XE NXTPAPER 5G
TCL has been showing off prototype phones with its "NXTPAPER" matte-display technology for a while now, but now one is actually going on sale in the US. The TCL 50 XE 5G comes in two flavors: with or without the NXTPAPER display. The display is the only difference, so this hands-on also applies to the TCL 50 XE 5G. The model with the regular display was just launched on Verizon Prepaid, while the NXTPAPER version is sold unlocked by TCL. So, what's the phone like in person? What's the NXTPAPER display like? Read on for our impressions.
Boost Celero5G SC is Just $110
Boost Mobile today launched the Celero5G SC, a more-affordable model in Boost's own Celero5G lineup that retails for just $110. Compared to the standard Celero5G (2024), the SC has less memory and lacks NFC or a dedicated wide-angle camera. It does have a fingerprint reader, large battery, and large 6.6-inch display with 90 Hz refresh. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, the same as in the new TCL 50 XE 5G that also launched this week on Verizon Prepaid. The Celero5G SC is available in black or white.
New York State Launches Mobile ID App
New York is now the ninth US state to offer an official, standards-compliant mobile ID (MiD). The new New York Mobile ID app is available for both Android and iOS. The dedicated app is required for both setup and use; New York's solution is not yet compatible with Apple Wallet nor Google Wallet. During setup, the user scans both their physical ID card and face. The app can then display a personalized QR code any time identity and/or age need to be verified. The code is scanned by the person requesting verification using any standard-compliant verification app. They then choose what information to request, the ID holder gives permission on their device, then the requested information (and that info only) is transmitted wirelessly and automatically verified with the NY DMV. The ID holder does not need to hand over their phone at any time. The verifying device must have an internet connection, but the device of the ID holder can be offline. The TSA currently accepts mobile ID at 28 airports, including all terminals of JFK and LaGuardia in New York City. Businesses that need to check ID can start accepting mobile ID at any time, but verification apps are not yet in widespread use. New York's app is similar to that of California, Iowa, Louisiana, and Utah. States with mobile IDs that can also be added to mobile wallets are: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland.
New Update for Pixel Phones Brings TV-Out, Dead Phone Finding
Google has released its June Feature Drop, a software update for Pixel devices that adds several new features. The Pixel 8 series phones (including 8a) gains support for external monitors with video-out over USB-C. The new, Bluetooth-based Find My Device network can now locate a Pixel 8 series phone even if it's battery has been "dead" for up to one day. The Phone app now has an option for reverse phone number search in the call log. (This is available for most Pixel devices.) The camera app now lets you manually choose a specific lens instead of just a zoom level. Finally, Google is expanding its new Gemini Nano AI model to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, although it must be manually enabled in Developer Settings. On Pixel Watch 2, the update bring Car Crash Detection, which can automatically call for help if it detects a crash and you're unresponsive.
Verizon Prepaid Intros Another 5G Phone Under $100
The TCL 50 XE 5G is now available on Verizon Prepaid, the second 5G phone available from Verizon Prepaid for under $100, following the Motorola moto g 5G (2024). The 50 XE has a 6.6-inch display with 90 Hz refresh, 5,010 mAh battery, 18-watt fast charging (charger included), 50 megapixel camera, NFC, and a fingerprint reader. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable). TCL will also be offering the 50 XE 5G unlocked in the US in a NXTPAPER edition with its unique matte display technology. Verizon Prepaid also recently added the TCL 50 LE, a 4G entry-level phone for just $80.
Nokia Makes First Phone Call with Spatial Audio
Nokia has conducted the first successful test of Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), a new technology that brings 3D spatial sound to mobile phone calls. IVAS is a new industry-standard codec that will be part of the next 3GPP 5G Advanced standard. Nokia was one of 13 companies that helped develop IVAS. While IVAS is designed to work across many device types, Nokia was particularly involved in "the development of a smartphone specific format for the IVAS standard." The call was made on a public 5G network.
Apple Intelligence Promises Personalized AI, Requires iPhone 15 Pro
Apple today launched Apple Intelligence, its big generative AI effort. Apple Intelligence focuses on personalized on-device AI, but also includes a limited cloud component for more advanced requests, and the option to use OpenAI's ChatGPT for certain types of requests. The on-device component maintains a private "semantic index" of your data like your recent messages, calendar, contacts, and more. This allows Siri to answer new kinds of requests more intelligently, using the context of that data and what's on your screen at the moment. Siri also now maintains conversational context across multiple requests, and can be queried via text instead of voice. New system-wide Writing Tools work across all apps. They can proofread, summarize, and rewrite. Any selected text can be rewritten in any style of your choice. New options offer to summarize long emails or messaging threads for you. Genmoji uses on-device generative AI to create any new emoji you can cream up. More advanced image generation is available via Image Playground, available in Messages and other Apple apps, some third-party apps, and as its own standalone app. Image Playground lets you create a small image based on any prompt. If the image includes a person, you can ask it to make them look like someone specific in your contacts. It will not generate photorealistic images, though, offering only "animation", "illustration", and "sketch" styles. Apple is also introducing a "Cleanup Tool" in Photos that can remove unwanted objects from photos using generative fill, much like Google's Magic Eraser. A new Priority Notifications feature uses the semantic index to understand and highlight which notifications are actually important, and a Reduce Interruptions option hides all non-Priority notifications. When a request cannot be handled on-device, Apple Intelligence sends only the necessary info to Apple's own "Private Cloud Compute" servers for processing, where Apple promises your data is not saved or logged. Apple Intelligence is free to use. Basic use of ChatGPT is also free, and you can link a paid OpenAI account to Apple Intelligence so you can access more advanced ChatGPT features right from Siri. The ChatGPT integration is multimodal, offering both text and images as input and output. Apple says it's working to integrate other models besides ChatGPT. On phones, Apple Intelligence requires the A17 Pro chip, which means it will only work on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, not the standard iPhone 15, nor any older models. It will also be available on tablets and computers using any M-series chip
iOS 18 Overhauls Home Screen, Messaging, Photos
Apple just announced iOS 18 for iPhones. The update will bring a slew of new features, with the biggest changes coming to home screen icons, messaging, and the Photos app. You'll now be able to put app icons anywhere, even at the bottom of the screen. Icons also have a special dark mode appearance, and a monochrome appearance that lets you customize them all to the color of your choice. Other new features let you lock or hide specific apps (and their data) so they're unavailable when you hand your phone to someone else. Finally, there's a new option for extra-large app icons. A major new service is Messages by Satellite, which lets you communicate via iMessage or SMS over a satellite connection even in non-emergency situations. Like Apple's existing SOS service, it requires that you point your phone at a certain part of the sky, which it guides you through. This feature offers end-to-end encryption. As promised, Messages now supports RCS for rich messaging compatibility with Android phones. iMessage will also now let you Tapback with any emoji, and apply formatting and animations ("Text effects") to your text. Finally, Messages will now let you schedule messages to be sent automatically at a later time. The Photos app gets a complete redesign, with a single home screen that shows the photos grid in the upper half and Collections below that. New automatic Collections include Recent Day and Trips, as well as People and Pets to group photos by who's in them. The grid has date tools and filters. Maps gains topographical maps, including offline hiking maps. Tap to Cash lets you send money to someone else just be tapping your phones together. Apple Wallet also gains enhanced event tickets that automatically include venue info, including maps. The Mail app gains new automatic Categorization. A new Game Mode minimizes background activity for better performance, and improves audio latency. Control Center also gets a major upgrade with third-party Controls, multiple pages of controls, and the ability to re-arrange and even resize controls. Third-party Controls can be assigned to lock screen shortcuts or the physical action button on iPhones that have one. A new feature of macOS called iPhone Mirroring lets you wirelessly view and use your iPhone from your Mac. It also integrates your iPhone notifications with your Mac notifications. Apple also introduced whole new password manager called Passwords, that's available for iOS and many other platforms. A beta version of iOS 18 will be available to developers today. Apple promises a public beta next month, and the final version this fall.
RCS Messaging to 911 Coming to Android
Google is working on the ability to communicate with 911 dispatchers via RCS in its Google Messages app. RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the industry standard for rich messaging (similar to iMessage, but open). Texting 911 via SMS/MMS is already an option in some areas. RCS bring additional capabilities, such as sharing high-resolution photos and videos, delivery confirmation, and typing notifications. It also enables Android Emergency Location Service, which can automatically send info like precise location, language settings, and opt-in medical info. Google is working with RapidSOS to enable this feature for specific emergency call centers starting this winter, starting with areas that don't even support texting to 911 yet.
Hands On with the T-Mobile REVVL 7 and REVVL 7 Pro
Carrier-branded phones are nothing new, but T-Mobile's line of REVVL phones is one of the most simple, consistent, and long-running such efforts in the US. Most years, we get two phones: an entry-level model and a step-up model; this year is no different. We checked out the T-Mobile REVVL 7 5G and T-Mobile REVVL 7 Pro 5G for a day and have some first impressions to share. Read on to find out what these phones are like in person.
T-Mobile Picks up the New Motorola Edge
Motorola has taken the wraps off the 2024 edition of its mid-range Edge phone. True to its name, this year's model has an "endless edge" design with a 6.6-inch pOLED display that curves at the sides. Other key specs include 144 Hz display refresh, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, IP68 water rating, and a 50 megapixel camera with a Sony Lytia 700C sensor and OIS. The 5,000 mAh battery can fast-charge at up to 68 watts, or 15 watts wireless. There's also a 13 megapixel wide-angle camera, 32 megapixel front camera, and a customizable shortcut button on the side. The back is "vegan leather" in Midnight Blue. It will be carried by T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Spectrum, Consumer Cellular, Straight Talk, Total By Verizon, and Visible. Motorola will also sell it unlocked for $550 starting June 20th.
You Can Now Edit Messages on Android
The Google Messages app has been updated to support editing messages after they've been sent in RCS chats. The feature is supported in both group and one-on-one threads. Editing is only allowed for 15 minutes. To use the feature, press and hold on the message you wish to edit. Apple's iMessage has supported message editing since 2022, when Apple also introduced message un-sending and the ability to mark messages unread.
New Tech Locates Cell Phones of Lost Hikers
A Spanish company has developed a new product that search and rescue teams can use to locate people in distress in remote areas dramatically faster than previous methods. Lifeseeker mimics a cellular tower to connect to cell phones carried the people who may need rescue, even where there is no cellular service. The product can be mounted to a helicopter, plane, or drone. In as little as a minute of flying around, the person's location can be pinpointed. It works even at night, in low visibility, and from as far as 20 miles away. A recent test in Colorado found two people in just over two minutes. Lifeseeker can also send messages to phones, giving instructions or sending broadcast alerts.
Google Launches a Smartwatch for Kids
The Fitbit Ace LTE is a new kids smartwatch from Google with a focus on exercise and movement. Like most smartwatches for kids, it lets parents keep in touch with their kids via voice and text, and a companion app (Android and iOS) for parents lets them track real-time location and manage allowed contacts. When kids move and exercise more, they unlock time to play games built in to the watch. Physical activity is also reflected in the "Noodle" activity ring on the home screen, and customizable "Eejie" virtual pets. Parents can also view physical activity data in the app, as well as set a schedule for "School Time" mode. Different wrist bands unlock new content. Google promises to continue releasing new games and bands. A future update will add a Tap To Pay feature "so kids have safe and easy access to pocket money." The watch is water resistant up to 50 meters and has a battery that lasts more than 16 hours. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and a rubber bumper is included. The Fitbit Ace LTE only works with a special service plan from Google that runs $10/month. Paying annually gets you a free collectible wrist band, and signing up for an annual plan before the end of August gets you 50% off service. The watch itself goes on sale June 5th and costs $230.
Arm Announces Most Efficient Processors Cores for Phones to Date
Arm has revealed a new, more efficient set of processor core designs intended for the chips that power smartphones and similar devices. This year's release is more tightly optimized for Android than ever, with new Android software libraries that accelerate AI tasks running on Arm CPUs. This new "Kleidi" software is optimized for computer vision as well as general AI, including generative AI. Kleidi works not only on current Arm CPUs, but older designs and future ones as well. The new hardware and software together is a solution that Arm calls "CSS (Compute SubSystems) for Client". The hardware is Armv9.2, a collection of prime, big, and little CPU cores that chip makers can mix as they wish, plus GPU for graphics. The new Cortex-X925 prime core delivers 36% better single-threaded performance and 41% better AI performance (time to first token, compared to Cortex-X4). The new Cortex-A725 "big" core offers 35% better "performance efficiency" compared to last year's A720. The new Cortex-A725 "little" core offers 15% better power efficiency compared. The new Immortalis-G925 GPU has 37% better general performance and 52% better ray tracing performance, compared to last year's G720. All of these designs are optimized for the latest 3nm manufacturing processes (both FinFET and GAA). For the first time, Arm is also offering optimized 3nm chip layouts using these cores, potentially accelerating time to market. Arm expects chips using these designs to reach the market by the end of this year.
Verizon Taps AST for Satellite Coverage
Verizon is finally joining AT&T and T-Mobile in making plans to offer satellite coverage for existing phones in cellular "dead zones" across the whole US. Verizon will join AT&T in using AST SpaceMobile, a company that has already conducted a series of successful tests of this technology with its test satellite and AT&T. AST is preparing its initial batch of five commercial satellites for launch starting later this year. Verizon will use band 5 for satellite service. Band 5 is a low-frequency band at 850 MHz, and was the very first band to be used for commercial cellular service in the US. AT&T made a firm commitment to AST earlier this month. T-Mobile will use a similar system from SpaceX that uses new Starlink satellites. All three offerings will work with existing phones without modifications, thanks to new satellites being launched with massive antenna arrays.
Samsung's Next Galaxy Watch Will Have More Fitness Smarts
Samsung has announced multiple new health features coming to the next Galaxy Watch lineup via its One UI 6 Watch software, available later this year. Samsung refers to these features as Galaxy AI on Galaxy Watch. Sleep tracking will be more detailed and more precise. A new Energy Score combines metrics like sleep, activity, and heart rate to provide "a better understanding of users' daily condition". Running mode will now include Aerobic Threshold / Anaerobic Threshold Heart Rate Zone Metrics. A new Race mode helps runners and cyclists train for a race. Finally, a Workout Routine mode lets users combine a set of exercises for a personalized workout.
T-Mobile Snaps Up US Cellular Customers
As reported earlier this month, regional wireless carrier US Cellular is being sold for parts. T-Mobile has reached an agreement to take on US Cellular's wireless customers and stores, as well as "certain specified spectrum assets", for $4.4 billion. Current US Cellular customers will become T-Mobile customers. The spectrum will help T-Mobile improve the coverage and capacity of its network, particularly in rural areas. The deal also includes a long-term lease for space on at least 2,100 towers. Previous reporting points to Verizon negotiating to acquire the majority of US Cellular's spectrum assets.
