HoFo Blog

From The Web:

FCC threatens to block calls from carriers for letting robocalls run rampant

There might not be an event, but October will still be a huge month for Apple releases

Android 14 is coming: Here’s what we know so far

Top 10 trending phones of week 38

Top 10 trending phones of week 39

From The Forums:

Verizon’s new $30 concierge charge for phone setup

verizon/tracfone depreciating brands

Verizon Begins Shrinking TracFone, Inc.

ios 16 no cellular data

Change from Red Pocket to US Mobile

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

Sorry, no morning briefings or thread of the week this week; taking a quick trip to Vancouver for a wellness check on extended family. Back at it next Tuesday, October 4th!

---------
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 19th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 20th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 21st, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 23rd, 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 32 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Tracfone eSim - Switching Today

Congrats to tekfranz for starting our one hundred and forty-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!

---------
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 rolls out iOS 16.0.2, addressing camera shake on new iPhones and copy/paste bug

Newly leaked images of the Motorola Razr 2022 suggest release to Western markets is imminent

Motorola’s new budget phones look surprisingly nice

This Android app brings the ‘Dynamic Island’ to Android

Telus defends credit card fee application as interventions surpass 4,000

From The Forums:

Verizon redefines no-contract wireless with Total by Verizon

Looking for T-Mobile compatible flip phone

Strange activation

Is eBay or Tracfone the best place to buy a phone?

T-Mobile map update - a lot of 5G UC listed - old mvno map 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:

iPhone 14 earns a 7/10 score on iFixit thanks to new back assembly

Apple's hubris is standing between the iPhone and a fully baked always-on display

Telus Tells CRTC: Credit Card Processing Fee is ‘Just and Reasonable’

Verizon customers to see speed and performance benefits from 200 MHz C-band spectrum

European operators test-run holographic calls

From The Forums:

Raleigh, NC - Coverage Deteriorating?

US Mobile's $47 plan - please help

---------
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 Pixel Watch color versions leak, along with price range for the base model

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review: noise cancellation domination

Amazfit Bip 3 Pro review

Smart G-Shock with classic 5000 series square case to be released

Opensignal’s 5G mobile experience awards names Canada’s big three as high performers

From The Forums:

Visible better than welcome unlimited

Taking this with a grain of salt regarding the unlimited 15 plan Call corporate to confirm?

---------
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:

DxOMark CEO says brands won’t send in a device if it isn’t likely to rank first

iPhone 14 Pro users report camera shakiness and grinding noise when using third-party apps

Apple’s fixing the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera shake

‘Made in India’ Smartphone Shipments Grew 16% YoY in Q2 2022; Domestic Manufacturing Push in Wearables Continues to Grow

Chinese mobile firms plan to set up plants elsewhere amid India crackdown

From The Forums:

Unlimited starter vs extra

What will happen if I try to to use the phone that is not on "approved list" on AT&T network?

Prepaid Compare Now Shows Which Plans Have Deprioritized Data

Recommendations for Android VoLTE (Business) Desk 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:

Top 10 trending phones of week 37

Vergecast: reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 8, and more

iPhone 14, 14 Pro experiencing iMessage, FaceTime issues after set up

Telus emails customers about incoming credit card fee before CRTC decision

Flashback: Apple is slow to adopt new tech, but only on iPhones

From The Forums:

Tracfone eSim - Switching Today

Activating an SM branded phone on an existing TF VZ line

New $15 Unlimited Plan

Safelink/ TracFone

Any free ways to check Hotspot speeds?

---------
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 12th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 13th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 14th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 15th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 16th, 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 35 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

With Verizon SIM, I Have Problems With Data

Congrats to SwampYankee1 for starting our one hundred and forty-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:

Apple iPhone 14 series, Apple Watch 8 and Watch SE now on sale

Tecno launches Camon 19 Pro Mondrian with changing colors

Snapchat for web is now available to everyone

The sooner Android accepts RCS is dead, the sooner we can choose the next messaging platform that matters

The Rise of Mobile Gambling Is Leaving People Ruined and Unable to Quit

From The Forums:

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G WiFi 6E Mobile Hotspot

Best eSim Prepaid for Emergency Back-up Phone

How much adding tablet/laptop and Apple Watch to Magenta/Max plan?

Yet Another Unlocking Question

No cellular data on iPhoneX after ISO16 update.

---------
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:

iPhone adoption of iOS 16 is slightly quicker than iOS 15 during first 72 hours

Apple iPhone 14 Pro review: early adopter island

Apple iPhone 14 review: meet the iPhone 13S

Here’s every US phone that supports eSIM on Android

Google may be working on a ‘small-screen’ Pixel, but you probably shouldn’t get your hopes up

Five year update pledges don't mean much without removable batteries

From The Forums:

With Verizon SIM, I Have Problems With Data

Verizon’s Vestberg says 3Q wireless net adds will be negative again

T-Mobile CEO marks progress in decommissioning Sprint n

AT&T shutting down 5G Mid-band at night to save money, reduce energy consumption

Grandfathered Plan (Classic 1000 Minute--Talk)... is it time to upgrade?

---------
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:

Nothing boasts of six figure Phone 1 sales in its first month of sale in India

OnePlus 11 Pro leaks show an alert slider and a massive camera redesign

Motorola's 200MP cameraphone is now available outside of China

CRTC Sends Secret Shoppers to Wireless Carrier Stores Again, Shares Results

Google brings back its potato chips, but in Japan only

From The Forums:

Total Wireless Users Read This

Horrible experience trying to merge lines

---------
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’s iPhone Satellite Service Kicks Off Smartphone Space Race

Pre-order an iPhone Pro now and it might come in October

You Can Now Download iOS 16 for iPhone, watchOS 9 for Apple Watch

Samsung September 2022 update rolling out for these Galaxy devices

Pixel 6a September update rolling out with fingerprint sensor ‘improvements’

From The Forums:

Rebranding Total Wireless iPhone SE

Tracfone phone and SIM rules questions

What is wrong with TF chat window?

Poor Verizon voice signal on Tracfone

How does FREE IPHONE 14 from Verizon work?

---------
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 Apple Watch Ultra is finally here

Apple’s new AirPods Pro can cancel twice as much noise

Bose interrupts AirPods Pro 2 announcement with new QuietComfort II earbuds

I took my blood pressure with a smartwatch and I want to do it again

Top 10 trending phones of week 36

From The Forums:

My 12K points disappeared today -- If you have points in Pending, take screenshots every day!

Does this look normal for Unlimited Plan?

Just ordered an iPhone 14 pro - how am I going to get service?

Add-a-Line Rules copy-pasted from TF's promo email

What to know about finding a reliable/good speed hotspot or mobile internet 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, September 5th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 7th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 8th, 2022
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, September 9th, 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 21 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

Grandfathered Nationwide plan with UDP feature and eSIM

Congrats to Jedis for starting our one hundred and fortieth 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:

All Apple iPhone 14 models come with 6GB RAM

Google puts 1GB RAM phones out of their misery with new GMS requirements

Rogers, Telus, Bell Sign Network Safety Plan in Wake of July Outage

Tim Cook would rather sell you an iPhone than add RCS to iMessage

The Dream of In-Display Fingerprint Scanners Is Dead

From The Forums:

Galaxy s22 ultra AVHD update breaks wifi calling?

Transferred from branded Verizon TF SIM > BYOP AT&T SIM successfully

Help me understand device whitelisting in the 4G VoLTE era (Verizon vs ATT vs T-Mo)

iPhone 14 Pro & Watch: Help me pick service

Any eSims with international roaming?

---------
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’s iPhone 14 event: the 9 biggest announcements

Everything Apple didn’t announce at its iPhone 14 event

Here are all US carrier promotions for the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro in Canada Still Have SIM Trays, Unlike the USA

The iPhone 14 marks the first nail in the coffin for physical SIM cards

From The Forums:

TracFone claims I have no talk/text left on unlimited plan?

Grandfathered Nationwide plan with UDP feature and eSIM

Verizon to offer new Apple One Plan

Cricket hotspot dilemma & Chromebooks

Bluetooth spp dongle???

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

iPhone 14 & Plus
6.1 or 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR display with notch
A15 Bionic chip
12 MP main & ultrawide rear cameras
12 MP selfie cam
128 / 256 / 512 GB storage
iOS 16
Colours: Midnight, Purple, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, Blue
iPhone 14 available from 09-16, starts at $799 USD / $1,099 CAD
iPhone 14 Plus available from 10-07, starts at $899 USD / $1,249 CAD
Pre-order from 09-09 @ 08:00 Eastern



iPhone 14 Pro & Pro Max
6.1 or 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR display with dynamic island (??)
A16 Bionic chip
48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide & telephoto rear cameras
12 MP selfie cam
128 / 256 / 512 GB / 1 TB storage
iOS 16
Colours: Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Starts at $999 or $1,099 USD / $1,399 or $1,549 CAD
Available from 09-16 / pre-order from 09-09 @ 08:00 Eastern

Sources: Apple USA (1) (2) / Apple Canada (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 iPhone 14 Launch Event (September 2022): What to Expect, How to Watch

Once-Rumored iPhone 14 Features We Aren't Expecting Anymore

Brazil says Apple can’t keep selling iPhones that don’t come with a charger

Apple Watch Pro leaks in CAD-based renders

Google announces October 6th event to launch the Pixel Watch, Pixel 7, and new Nest devices

From The Forums:

Why is TN not eligible for 3 month Network Pass?

update Droid Mini OS to Lollipop

T-Mobile Tuesday - QDOBA

Beware of TracFone customer service acting like they don't have a clue what they are doing

Still sucks to have a Canadian cell phone plan (vs the rest of the world)!

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