HoFo Blog

From The Web:

It’s official: LG Electronics is exiting the smartphone business

The latest in the global semiconductor shortage

US Sanctions Are Squeezing Huawei, but for How Long?

Videotron is ‘Proof Positive’ Wireless Competition Works, Says Quebecor CEO to MPs

Top 10 trending phones of week 13

From The Forums:

LG Xpression Plus does not ring if screen is off

Textnow using the cell signal not working?

Issues transferring number to a new provder

AT&T Prepaid Taxes and Fees?

International Rates?

---------
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:

LG will reportedly announce closure of smartphone business on April 5

Verizon says it will shut down its 3G network — for real this time — on December 31st, 2022

Dish calls out T-Mobile for wanting to shut down Sprint’s 3G network too soon

Casio's new G-Shock watch is maybe the chonkiest WearOS device yet

This new app helps Pebble watches continue working with new Android phones

From The Forums:

TF Moto G Power Global or LTE/CDMA

Safelink airtime pin?

why is my Tracfone SIM(Verizon) suddenly getting speeds of more than 180mbps on 4G?

Deutsche Telekom eyes direct control over T-Mobile

Kyocera Jax phone signal gone

---------
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:

It’s game over for Arizona’s controversial App Store bill

Google ditches Mobile World Congress 2021, the world’s biggest phone show

Google Faces Class Action for Allegedly "Selling Users' Data"

Android sends 20x more data to Google than iOS sends to Apple, study says

Teksavvy, Quebecor caution MPs on consequences of proposed Rogers-Shaw deal

From The Forums:

Esim activation

No more SIM swapping between phones on PagePlus ...

Next Uncarrier Announcement: April 7th

Calyx

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

Well, that only took five years... As soon as I received my custom-made Nixon Mission back in 2016 two realizations immediately came to mind:

1. I have a thing for ruggedized watches;
2. What I really wanted was a G-Shock running Wear OS.

Fast-forward to this morning when yours truly spots this beast on G-Central—it's apparently the GSW-H1000, and not an April Fool's joke. They grabbed the image from Casio's German G-Shock portal but I can't seem to find it; there's also evidence of a prototype in a post from last December. Here's what we know about specs:

It's expected to retail for $699 USD when made official in May or June of this year. That's quite a bit more than than $199 CAD I paid for my current Garmin Instinct (on sale), but I wouldn't hesitate for a second to add this to my collection of Pro-Trek smartwatches. And yes, I have all of them!

Sources: G-Central (1) (2)

---------
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:

Apple supplier Foxconn warns that component shortages will last until 2022

Apple WWDC 2021 announced as online-only event

Xiaomi's foldable Mi Mix Fold brings the first liquid lens with 3x magnification

The End of AMP

Google Is Testing Its Controversial New Ad Targeting Tech in Millions of Browsers. Here’s What We Know.

From The Forums:

Which high data AT&T or Verizon Prepaid Pla?

TracFone Activation

MLB still offered?

Iphone SE - unlocked or not?

---------
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:

Xiaomi Announces Mi 11 Ultra: The Largest Smartphone Camera

Xiaomi unveils an 80W wireless charger and its take on Apple’s failed AirPower

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 ups the budget fitness tracking game once again

Canada’s Wireless Pricing for 20GB is Most Expensive in the World, Report Says

T-Mobile is the first US carrier to make Google Messages its default SMS app

From The Forums:

T-mobile is shutting down its Tvision tv service

TracFone Moto G Power Unlocking After 12 Months

Tricks and workarounds to backup/update iPhone and iPad without home WiFi?

CDMA Boost Mobile

What's the name of the currently advertised 2 for $70 over 55 plan?

---------
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 22nd, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 24th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 25th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, March 26th, 2021

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior 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 62 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

T‑Mobile Home Internet

Congrats to Jim1348 for starting our sixty-ninth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

---------
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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 12

Chip shortage could benefit Apple with better component pricing

Apple reportedly mulls rugged smartwatch coming as soon as this year

Choosing the most influential Android devices of the last decade

I Hope You Love Samsung or OnePlus

From The Forums:

Can one activate WI-FI calling without giving physical address

How to port landline number to TF

do you pay the upgrade fee?

Coverage coastal Maine?

Autopay or Airtime Cards?

---------
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:

The long wait for a true Poco F1 successor is finally over

Vivo X60 flagship series announced with Zeiss-branded camera system

PinePhone Beta Edition Linux smartphone is now available for pre-order for $150 and up

Fairphone 2 is still getting Android updates 5 years after launch

Fairphone suggests Qualcomm is the biggest barrier to long-term Android support

From The Forums:

what is the self-activation like?

horrible customer sevice

Test Drive Kit - modes and bands?

Verizon sells some 5G spectrum to GeoLinks

---------
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:

The lower-cost OnePlus 9R is official, and it sounds surprisingly strong

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 is an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 855 from 2019

iOS code reveals ‘A14X’ processor ahead of rumored iPad Pro upgrades

Wind Mobile founder says Rogers-Shaw deal threatens hope of any real competition

In the 5G era, Canada is losing global leadership due to spectrum challenges

From The Forums:

Inexpensive home internet service Pre or Postpaid

Left after 6+ years

Verizon's LTE in CBRS much faster than 5G Nationwide

Wanting to change from Verizon to T-Mobile Connect

IRS SMS messages are not received

---------
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:

OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9 officially announced, but first reviews indicate the Hasselblad co-branding is more in letter than in spirit

The OnePlus Watch is official and it sounds too good to be true

The Black Shark 4 is a high-end gaming phone that doesn’t look like one

DoorDash will let you order at-home COVID-19 testing kits delivered to your door

Alberta’s Contact Tracing App Should Be ‘Thrown in the Garbage’, Says Engineer

From The Forums:

Simple Mobile on GSM/AT&T SIM swap question

Moto G Power

Warning about Verizon Debit Card and trade-in offers.

Screen casting my pixel 4a 5g to my LG tv

What to expect when joining (and porting in) at Costco?

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

In addition to an India-only budget phone and a smartwatch, OnePlus today announced their newest hero phones. Because of their carrier deal with T-Mobile the company is pushing especially hard on the "5G" branding in the US, but 5G should work in Canada as well. Details are as follows:



OnePlus 9 Pro (5G)

6.7 inch curved AMOLED display, 1440 x 3216 pixels @ 120 Hz
Snapdragon 888 processor
8 or 12 GB RAM / 128 or 256 GB storage
50 + 48 + 8 + 2 MP rear cameras
16 MP selfie cam
4500 mAh battery, 65 W fast charging, 50 W wireless charging
Morning mist, pine green colourways
From $1069 USD / $1499 CAD



OnePlus 9 (5G)

6.55 inch flat AMOLED display, 1080 x 2400 pixels @ 120 Hz
Snapdragon 888 processor
8 or 12 GB RAM / 128 or 256 GB storage
50 + 48 + 2 MP rear cameras
16 MP selfie cam
4500 mAh battery, 65 W fast charging, 15 W wireless charging
Astral black, winter mist colourways
From $729 USD / $999 CAD

Sources: OnePlus Canada / USA

---------
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 fixes issue causing Android apps to crash with updates to Chrome and WebView

OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro: everything we know about the new phones coming on March 23rd

New leaks give us our best look yet at the OnePlus Watch

Nobody wants to buy LG's phone business

What Is Happening Over at Hasselblad?

From The Forums:

"Home" Current network

Bought New iPhone 12 on eBay

WiFi calling on Verizon Towers?

---------
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 15th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 18th, 2021
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, March 19th, 2021

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior 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 62 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Cheap Unlimited 2G data hotspot?

Congrats to mt999999 for starting our sixty-eighth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

---------
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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 11

Flashback: a look back at the best Samsung Galaxy A phones through the years

Brazil regulator fines Apple $2 million for not including chargers with iPhone 12

Mozilla, Reddit, and Vimeo urge FCC to bring back net neutrality

OpenMedia Petition Wants to Stop Rogers From Buying Out Shaw

From The Forums:

T‑Mobile Home Internet

How to purge a phone number from calling lists?

Google Hangouts will no longer be able to make calls (March 2021). Replacement?

OEM Unlocked Moto E6 - no hotspot

AT&T Galaxy S21 Ultra: Dual Sim?

---------
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:

Here’s everything we know about the new OnePlus phones

Study Reveals What Most People Want in Their Next Phone Camera

Apple Warns Chinese Tech Companies Not to Circumvent App Tracking Transparency Rules

Canada asks court to dismiss two of Huawei CFO Meng's arguments in extradition case

Will the CRTC loosen the Big Three’s hold on cellphone networks?

From The Forums:

Hello Mobile Question

What is the cause for not picking public hotspot on LG phone?

Amazon prize winner text

---------
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:

Samsung brings 64MP cameras, high refresh displays to Galaxy A52 and A72 mid-range phones

OnePlus Store app launches in North America with deals on the OnePlus 9 series

OnePlus Watch officially won't be running Google's Wear OS

​Big new Wear OS feature set for spring update – but we want more

Jesse Kline: Why Rogers should be blocked from getting Shaw's Freedom Mobile in merger deal

From The Forums:

Unlocked Phone Recommendations?

How soon do you think unlimited 2G hotspot will be 256k speeds?

PayGo Plans question

converting to T-Mobile - lots of questions

Will I need a new sim card? I just bought a 5G phone

---------
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:

What the Rogers-Shaw deal means for consumers, jobs and 5G networks

Huawei plans to start charging patent fees to Samsung, Apple for each phone sold

Samsung says it might skip the Galaxy Note this year

The 5 best free password manager alternatives for LastPass on Android

The IEEE Builds A Smart Watch

From The Forums:

getting photos off old Samsung Tracfone 2G only no USB access?

cancel call-forwarding or putting it back again, ##004#

Phone switches between bands 13 and 66

T-Mobile's giving away ANOTHER Free Line starting tomorrow, 3/17!

What’s the lowest priced voice plan I can currently add?

---------
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:

Poco teases global launch event for March 22, Poco F3 and X3 Pro incoming

10 great MIUI 12 features you should know about

Nokia partners with internet giants, shares react

Companies can silently reroute your texts to hackers, sometimes for just $16

Encrypted Messaging App Signal Goes Down in China

From The Forums:

Rogers to Buy Shaw

Unable to set PIN

Volte on Moto E4?

Verizon's C-band vs. T-Mobile's 2.5GHz: Which is better for 5G?

Micro SD card for LG Premier Pro Plus How fast is needed?

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