T-Mobile Reshuffles Prepaid Plans
T-Mobile is reworking its prepaid plans, with a mix of positive and negative changes. All three new plans include a 5-year price guarantee (on data, voice, and text) and new perks like soccer and baseball TV subscriptions and free in-flight Wi-Fi on Delta. A new Starter plan replaces the old "10 GB" plan. While it remains $40/month for one line (with auto-pay, after first month, plus taxes & fees), the amount of high-speed data is upped to 15 GB. However, additional lines are now more expensive. For example, 4 lines were previously $100, but will be $130 with the new plan. The new Unlimited plan is now cheaper at $45 for one line (down from $50). While it previously included "unlimited" 5G data, customers using over 50 GB could see slow-downs "during congestion". Now, T-Mobile is making it clearer that both "Unlimited" plans simply include 50 GB of "premium high-speed" data. The new Unlimited Plus plan stays at $60/month for one line, but now includes voice and texting while roaming in Canada and Mexico. However, the allotment of high-speed mobile hotspot data has decreased from 10 GB to 5 GB. Other features of the new plans mirror the old plans. The new plans will be available next Tuesday, June 24.
TikTok Gets Another Temporary Lifeline in US
President Trump has announced a new 90-day pause in the enforcement of the law that forces TikTok to sell its US operations, or be banned.
Trump Org. Launches Trump Mobile
The Trump family has launched Trump Mobile, a new MVNO offering "5G service through all three major cellular carriers". The prepaid service has no contracts and no credit check. For $47.45 per month, the service offers "unlimited data", although only the first 20 GB is high-speed data. It also offers unlimited talk and text and "free international calling to more than 100 countries". The international-calling page of the Trump Mobile web site promises "you get competitive international rates with full transparency. You only pay for what you use — no hidden fees or confusing charges", yet does not list any rates. It also shows 185 countries that allow "unlimited" calling, but another 392 countries with capped maximum minutes (presumably per month), ranging from 5 to 125 minutes. Many islands (Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas) and countries in Africa are limited to 30 minutes or less. Although the web site emphasizes enabling "service members and their loved ones to stay connected", calling to Qatar is capped at 40 minutes, even though Qatar hosts the US' largest military base in the middle east with over 11,000 service members. The service plan also includes roadside assistance, telehealth services, and device protection, all provided by third-party partners. The company also promises 24/7, US-based customer service. The service is currently bring-your-own-device (BYOD), but the company also announced plans for a gold "T1 Phone" for $499, coming in September. It has a 6.8-inch AMOLED display, 5,000 mAh battery, 20W fast charging, 50 megapixel camera, 12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, Android 15, fingerprint reader, and 3.5mm headset jack. The press release claims the phone is "designed and built in the United States".
Google Kills Instant Apps
Google is shutting down an Android feature that let users quickly download and use a temporary "mini" version of an app, instead of installing the full app. Instant Apps were not popular with developers, but were useful for game trials or one-time transactions. Google first announced Instant Apps in 2016 and launched it to developers in 2017. Google's newest developer tools include a warning that "Instant Apps support will be removed by Google Play in December 2025".
The Nothing Phone (3) Will Come to US
Nothing has previously made a series of unique phones but shied away from the US market in terms of network support, sales channels, and support. The Phone (3) will be announced July 1 and sold in the US via Amazon and Nothing's web site.
Anker Recalls Popular Power Bank Over Fire Risk
Anker has recalled its PowerCore 10000 power bank (model A1263), which was sold between June 2016 and December 2022 in the United States. Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions with this model. The power bank was popular, selling over 1 million units. Owners should immediately stop using the product. Anker is offering affected customers a free replacement power bank (an equivalent newer model) or a $30 gift card for anker.com (the recalled unit sold for about $27). Anker has set up an online form to check for eligibility (by serial number) and submit a claim that includes photos of the recalled power bank.
Verizon Expands Its Dedicated 5G for First Responders
Verizon launched its "Frontline Network Slice" in April in 30 major markets, giving first responders guaranteed network access. Now it expands nationwide to all 50 major markets where Verizon offers 5G Ultra Wideband.
Google Makes Open-Source Android Development More Difficult
Google is taking away a key resource that made it easier for third parties to develop non-Google versions of the Android OS for smartphones. Specifically, Google will no longer publish an "example" version of AOSP (Android Open Source Project) that works as-is on its Pixel phones. Instead, Google will only publish a generic version of AOSP that, as published, only works on a generic virtual device called "Cuttlefish". This means developers working with AOSP no longer have a simple starting point that works on physical hardware. Going forward, developers will need to do significant work just to get AOSP running on any real-world device, before working on whatever they want to customize about the OS. Google's move may be particularly painful for the developers of alternative OSes (based on AOSP) that run on Pixel phones, such as LineageOS, GrapheneOS, and CalyxOS.
Apple Expands Child Safety Protections and Options for Parents
Apple today announced new features for its child-safety and parental controls features in its platforms, including iOS for iPhones. Apple will be expanding its number of age range categories to include under-13, 13+, 16+, and 18+. Apps with an overall rating exceeding a child account's age range will not be featured in the App Store, although they can still be searched, and parents can grant an exception to download. Further, a new Declared Age Range API will let developers query the age range — but not sensitive info like precise age or birth date — to tailor in-app content to be age-appropriate. App Store listings will now show whether an app makes use of this new API, and flag apps that allow messaging or show user-generated content. Apple is expanding its Communication Safety technology to FaceTime and Shared Albums in Photos, so that any nudity detected will automatically be blurred in those apps when using a Child Account. Apple is also changing the process of creating Child Accounts to ensure they are more restricted by default. Controls for parents are also being streamlined in some areas, and expanded with more options in other areas.
Pixel Phones Gain Exclusive new VIPs Widget
Google has started rolling out the "Pixel Drop" software update for Pixel phones for June. Its most prominent new feature is a "VIPs" home-screen widget that integrates with the Contacts app. It lets you designate a small number of contacts as VIPs, who then appear in the widget. Tapping one of these contacts opens a new screen that collects everything about that person, including recent messages, notes, and even location (when shared). It can also show the local time and weather where that person is now. Optionally, VIPs can automatically bypass your do-not-disturb mode.
Android 16 Exits Beta, Now Available on Pixels
Google has put the finishing touches on Android version 16, ending the beta period for the OS. It is now available for Google Pixel phones and will roll out to other brands soon. Notifications get a big update, with the introduction of Live Updates. This new type of notification is dynamic instead of static, updating in real time with progress info. This feature is aimed primarily at ride-share and food delivery apps for now. Also, multiple notifications from the same app will now always appear grouped together, to reduce clutter. Advanced Protection is now a setting available to everyone, instead of a program that requires enrollment. This feature locks down your phone with "an array of robust device security features that protect you from online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls and more." Android 16 also lays the groundwork for more new features coming "later this year", such as the new desktop mode adapted from Samsung DeX, and "more Material 3 Expressive design updates".
Apple iOS 26 Brings a New Look and Long List of New Features
Apple has revealed iOS 26, the next major version of iOS (the current version is 18). It introduces a major new design language that Apple calls Liquid Glass, which is coming to all Apple devices, not just iPhone. Accompanying the new look is a home screen option with "clear" icons and widgets. Apple has also improved its smart wallpapers to automatically adjust the time size and photo framing to make room for notifications, as well as add 3D effects. The OS intros two major new AI features: Visual Intelligence is now integrated into the screenshot function, making it easy to perform image searches based on whatever is on your screen (instead of just using the camera). It will also offer to automatically create a calendar entry when it detects a date/time. And an "Ask" button lets you ask ChatGPT about what's on your screen. A new Live Translation feature provides real-time language translation for phone calls, messages, and FaceTime. It uses Apple's own AI models. Also in Messages, Apple promises improved AI spam detection, and all messages from unknown senders automatically get sent to a special "unknown sender" folder that doesn't trigger a notification (with exceptions for certain types of time-sensitive messages.) Groups chats also get typing indicators, polls, and custom backgrounds. In the Phone app, a new design puts favs at the top, with a timeline below that, combining recent calls and voicemails. Apple is also borrowing a few ideas from Google with Call Screening and Hold Assist, where the phone can take over annoying parts of calls for you. An all-new Games app shows your Leaderboards and lets you create challenges with your friends. It also shows updates for your existing games, and provides personalized suggestions for new games. The Music app gains AutoMix to blend song transitions like a DJ. It also add Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation. CarPlay now supports widgets and Live Activities. Several other apps have been redesigned with simpler controls, including Camera and Safari. Developers also gain access to Apple's own on-device models with the new "Foundation Models framework". Apple is releasing iOS 26 to developers today, with a public beta version expected next month. The final version is expected "this fall". iOS 26 will run on iPhone 11 and later.
Sonim XP Pro Launches on AT&T
After initially launching with Verizon in November, Sonim's XP Pro is now available from AT&T as well. The XP Pro is a rugged Android smartphone with a much sleeker profile than the company's previous rugged smartphones. It has a good upper-mid-range specs, a large portfolio of available accessories, and is manufactured in Taiwan. Sonim recently announced a version of the XP Pro with an integrated FLIR thermal camera, that will come to the US later this year. Sonim also recently launched the XP3plus 5G on T-Mobile, which also adds 5G — among other upgrades — to its main flip-phone model.
Samsung's Next Flagship Foldable Will be Ultra
Samsung announced that it's bringing its "Ultra" branding to its foldable phone lineup soon. The accompanying teaser animation shows a device that opens like a book, similar to the company's current Galaxy Z Fold6 model. It's not clear if this means the company will offer an additional Fold model this year (one Ultra and one non-Ultra), or simply offer one model but apply Ultra branding. Ultra branding usually implies the very highest-end — and most expensive — model in a Samsung lineup, so a price hike for the top model could be in store as well.
Google Kills Off PayPal in Google Wallet
Google Wallet is turning off the ability to link a PayPal account directly with Google Wallet in the US. After June 13, this special integration will only be continue to be available in Germany. Instead, users are encouraged to add a PayPal Debit Mastercard to Google Wallet for roughly similar functionality. PayPal and Google did not give a reason for this change.
Life360 Integrates Tile Tags
Nearly four years after acquiring Tile, Life360 has now fully merged most Tile app functionality into its own Life360 app. Life360 is a family locator app. Tile is the original Bluetooth object-tracking tag that preceded Apple AirTags and similar products. Life360 users can now "add, set up, and manage Tile trackers right inside the Life360 app." Both family members and Tile trackers appear on the same integrated map, with leave-behind alerts and location history. Life360 has also set up a way to connect existing Tile accounts to a new Life360 account.
OnePlus Replaces Alert Slider with Plus Key for AI
OnePlus has announced its new AI strategy that will debut with the forthcoming OnePlus 13s phone. The company is replacing its hallmark alert slider switch with a new shortcut button that can perform a variety of functions, such as switching sound profiles, launching the camera, turning on the flashlight, or initiating AI-powered language translations. But its default function seems to be launching Plus Mind, a new feature that seemingly captures screenshots and then, later, lets you search the content of those screenshots with natural-language AI. The OnePlus 13s will be OnePlus' "first compact flagship". The company announced other new AI features, including call transcription for both regular phone calls and those in third-party apps. A new language translation tool can translate anything on your screen in real time. AI Reframe can crop and reframe existing photos, and even offer versions that appear to be taken from different angles.
Consumer Cellular Launches White-Label Service for MVNOs
Consumer Cellular is launching "Enabler IQ", a turnkey service for brands wishing to launch their own mobile service as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). AT&T will provide the 5G and 4G network for the service, while Consumer Cellular will provide billing, provisioning, logistics, and US-based customer care. Consumer Cellular will also provide web and mobile apps, "configurable to reflect the partner's brand identity." Consumer Cellular says it envisions potential partners that include "retailers, cable operators, device manufacturers, financial institutions, and celebrity endorsers."
