Tech news

Recent revelations by Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, confirm the tech giant's active involvement in the development of generative AI. http://dlvr.it/Swp74z

Google has announced the Fitbit Charge 6, a fitness tracker watch with more smartwatch features than ever. It includes smarter features like YouTube Music, Google Maps with built-in GPS, and Google Wallet with NFC, yet costs $160, less than half the cost of a Pixel Watch. The Charge 6 has heart rate tracking that's 60% more accurate than previous Fitbits. It also performs sleep tracking and has a Daily Readiness Score, "a Premium feature that helps you understand your body’s readiness to tackle a tough workout or take a day to recover, with daily activity recommendations based on your score." It can also measure electrodermal activity and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The Charge 6 can connect to compatible gym equipment via Bluetooth, so your heart rate can be displayed on machines from NordicTrack, Peloton, Concept2, and Tonal. Pre-orders start today, with delivery this fall. http://dlvr.it/Swp6qS

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max users will finally get a chance to use a periscope lens giving the device the ability to deliver 5x optical zoom. http://dlvr.it/Swlgbg

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has started the process to bring back net neutrality rules first implemented in 2015, but repealed in 2018. The rules classify broadband internet service as "essential", like water, power, and phone service. This give the FCC the authority to ensure that internet providers to not play favorites with the content and services carried over their networks. Providers would be barred from blocking legal content, and would have to provide the same speeds and access for all services and content. The Chairwoman started the process now that a Democrat-majority Commission has been confirmed by the Senate. The FCC has been without a full slate of five commissioners for two and a half years. The process will take some time as official new rules are proposed, then the FCC accepts feedback from the public and industry before adopting final rules. http://dlvr.it/Swj2px

Some Chinese retailers are asking users to not use their Android USB-C cables for the iPhone 15. http://dlvr.it/Swfbpy

The iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro's spotlight is about to be taken away, if this leaked GPU benchmark result for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is legit. http://dlvr.it/SwcCHL

Developer shows that it's possible to use the iPhone 15 Pro as a desktop computer. http://dlvr.it/SwYrZD

Unique new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro features that will make Android users wish they were on team iPhone. http://dlvr.it/SwYrQN

One Pixel 8 model might be more expensive than last year's equivalent. http://dlvr.it/SwYrCb

Data stolen from a third-party T-Mobile retailer could help back actors wreak havoc. http://dlvr.it/SwX7yw

This week's huge list of the best mobile tech deals from around the web is headlined by Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy A54, although it also includes nice discounts on the Apple Watch Series 9, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) among others. http://dlvr.it/SwVVcj

Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 introduces large screen improvements for Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet users http://dlvr.it/SwSFK5

Amazon is upgrading Alexa with a slew of new features and improvements that will arrive in 2023 and 2024. http://dlvr.it/SwQCPr

Amazon announced two new kids-oriented tablets today, the Fire HD 10 Kids and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. http://dlvr.it/SwQCBJ

A tipster reveals that TSMC turned down the opportunity to build the Tensor G4 because it is a low volume job. http://dlvr.it/SwMhBy

AT&T, and its partners including AST Space Mobile, successfully made a 5G connection from space to an unmodified smartphone. http://dlvr.it/SwMgyq

AST SpaceMobile has achieved another important testing milestone by successfully making a 5G phone call on an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 via its BlueWalker 3 test satellite currently in orbit. The phone was located in a cellular dead zone on Maui, Hawaii. The connection used AT&T spectrum; the same radio frequencies AT&T uses for its land-based 5G network. The company has conducted a series of different tests over the past year to validate its technology, including the first phone call in April, followed by 4G data in June, data download rates of up to 14 Mbps, video calls, streaming video, and "full compatibility with phones made by all major manufacturers". The company says it is on track to launch five commercial BlueBird satellites — already under construction — in the first quarter of 2024. AT&T is one of the many companies worldwide that AST has an agreement with to provide satellite coverage where its land-based network does not reach. AST's technolo

Formally unveiled alongside the iPhone 15 handset family last week, Apple's super-generous 6TB and 12TB iCloud+ plans can actually be had starting today at $29.99 and $59.99 a month respectively. http://dlvr.it/SwJnRM

A report from CIRP reveals that iPhone buyers are not likely to change which model they purchase. http://dlvr.it/SwJnD3

Is Apple lying? The company said iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have "7 camera lenses" despite only having three cameras on the back. http://dlvr.it/SwFyS7

Now is the perfect time to pick up the multitasking-champ Galaxy Z Fold 4. http://dlvr.it/SwCttV

Nothing is etched in stone yet, but more details about the oft-leaked Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra may have just been revealed by a prolific X tipster. http://dlvr.it/Sw9wts

Released around four months ago at an already extremely reasonable price of $39.99, Amazon's "full sound" compact Echo Pop smart speaker is now on sale for a crazy low $22.99 in two decidedly eye-catching color options. http://dlvr.it/Sw7Jtg

HMD Global, the company that took over the Nokia brand in the phone space, plans to launch its own brand of phones. HMD Global CEO Jean-Francois Baril published a post saying that "we are establishing an original HMD brand. You can expect to see a new portfolio of HMD branded mobile devices, as well as Nokia devices and collaboration with exciting new partners." http://dlvr.it/Sw4Znd

Have you decided on getting an iPhone 15? Then make sure you know what you're getting with it when you open the box it comes with! http://dlvr.it/Sw1pKv

Apple has extended its contract with Qualcomm to supply 5G modem chips for iPhones through 2026. Apple has been attempting to develop its own 5G modem chips, and purchased Intel's phone chip business in 2019 for $1 billion to further that effort. While rumors suggested Apple planned to debut its own 5G chips this year or next, the new deal with Qualcomm suggests that project is delayed. Apple could still debut its own 5G chip before 2026, but may phase in the change over time, across different iPhone models and/or different markets. Apple used modems from different suppliers in the iPhone 7 series, with the Qualcomm modems offering superior performance. http://dlvr.it/Svz319

The phone has decent performance, takes beautiful photos for such a budget handset, and even comes with its own stylus. http://dlvr.it/SvwNm2

The phone has decent performance, takes beautiful photos, and can now be yours for less http://dlvr.it/SvtTf1

The phone has great performance, takes beautiful photos, and can now be yours for less http://dlvr.it/SvrV22

Apple's upcoming Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 may retain the design of their predecessors, but there will be many changes on the inside. http://dlvr.it/SvrTmQ

If you want to complete your Samsung ecosystem with a great pair of earbuds, now's the time to get the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. These are some 22% cheaper during the Discover Samsung Sale event. http://dlvr.it/SvrTZZ

After creating the smart speaker category in 2014, Amazon still dominates the U.S. market with a 70% market share. http://dlvr.it/SvnxwY

A hacking device called Flipper Zero that costs $169 can make various iPhone models, including the iPhone 8 and iPhone 14 Pro, nearly unusable. http://dlvr.it/SvlD66

Because there's generally no smoke without fire in the mobile tech space, it seems safer and safer to assume that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will indeed be released several weeks after the rest of Apple's next-gen handset family. http://dlvr.it/SvhTXl

Better-than-expected iPhone 15 sales could make Apple the top seller of 2023. http://dlvr.it/Svdn7p

Apple came close to releasing a 14-inch iPad this year but has changed its plans for now. http://dlvr.it/SvbLhn

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the perfect phone for enthusiasts who don't want to spend over a thousand bucks on a premium phone. http://dlvr.it/SvbLT4

Why the rumored Apple Watch X could be my first Apple Watch after 10 years of using an iPhone (without an Apple Watch). http://dlvr.it/SvYQdm

Enjoy your music and save money this Labor Day weekend with the Bose QuietComfort 45 over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones http://dlvr.it/SvWbTK

LG is in the game, too! http://dlvr.it/SvWbJM

Google has ended its Pixel Pass subscription bundle after just 22 months, even though the offering was advertised as including a new phone after two years. The news comes as Google prepares to announce a new lineup of Pixel phones (presumably the Pixel 8 series) on October 4th. The monthly fees paid so far did cover the cost of an initial Pixel phone, plus a bundle of cloud services. Google is also offering a $100 credit to affected customers. But those customers are losing access to special discounted rates for streaming music and other services. Google has a long history of killing off products more quickly than other companies. http://dlvr.it/SvT4Tk