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Shuffle readies PrivateLine app to aid in user privacy & battle robocalls

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News,

T-Mobile robocalls

A few weeks ago, I produced a video giving you a look at Shuffle and both its Shuffle app and upcoming Shuffle PrivateLine app (embedded below) while outlining the massive privacy implications of using various 2nd phone number apps, which feeds into the current robocall epidemic we’re experiencing here in the US. Now, Shuffle is back with the results of even more custom research on this topic, and it’s eye-opening. If you feel like you’ve been getting nonstop robocalls lately, you’re not alone.

In fact, there were over 30.5 billion robocalls placed in the United States in 2017, an increase over the 29.3 billion in 2016. This isn’t something that’s slowing down, either, as December 2017 saw a massive 2.8 billion unsolicited (at best) or illegal (at worst) calls - that’s an average of 89.6 million every day, or 8.6 calls for every person.

Click to continue reading Shuffle readies PrivateLine app to aid in user privacy & battle robocalls


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How to use AT&T Next and Verizon Edge to your advantage

iPhone 6

We've received a few emails over the last few days from readers asking about switching to AT&T Next so that they can get the new iPhone 6 on Friday for no money down. AT&T has been notifying some customers who are mid-contract that they can switch to a Next plan at no charge, doing away with contracts going forward. Of course, there are those who are still under AT&T's grandfathered "unlimited" data plan, but others simply want to know if programs like AT&T Next and Verizon Edge are worth it, or if they're rip-offs. The thing is, early upgrade plans like Next and Edge basically allow you to divorce the act of owning and paying for a phone, from paying for cellular service. If you play your cards right, you'll actually come out ahead financially, and you'll be able to upgrade to a new device whenever you want. Let's walk through a scenario of buying a phone with AT&T Next.

Background
All currently available mainstream plans feature two components: a data charge, and a line charge. We will ignore the data charge aspect from here on out, because it's the same regardless of what plan you choose.

AT&T Next offers you a lower monthly line charge ($15 less for data plans under 10GB, $25 less for 10GB and over) in exchange for them not giving you a large subsidy when you buy your phone. Next plans never involve a contract, and you can get out of them at any time, penalty free, by paying off the balance you owe on your phone.

Click to continue reading How to use AT&T Next and Verizon Edge to your advantage


The iPhone 5c is now free with two-year contract

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals,

iphone 5c free

Apple announced two new iPhones today--the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus--but that wasn't all the iPhone news coming out of the We Wish We Could Say More event. Aside from cutting the price of the iPhone 5s in half, Apple has also dropped the price of the iPhone 5c. You'll now be able to pick up the unapologetically plastic smartphone absolutely free with a two-year contract.

Read More | iPhone 5c

Isis rebrands mobile wallet as Softcard

Softcard isis

The folks behind the Isis Wallet recently announced that the company would rebrand and change its name due to the rise of the ISIS Middle Eastern terrorist group in the public eye. A great decision to be sure, the company announced today that the Isis Wallet will shortly be known as Softcard. An app update will be pushed to the various app stores where Isis Wallet is available within a few weeks, and Softcard will take its place. No word on any new features at this time, as the company is looking to swiftly get the name change in place to distance itself from the militant group of a similar moniker.

Read More | Softcard

Glamour Red HTC One (M8) heading to Verizon

Red Verizon HTC One M8

For all you Verizon customers waiting on the Glamour Red HTC One (M8) to arrive, it looks like your wait won't be that much longer. The folks over at @evleaks got their hands on a render of the red HTC flagship device, which means that it's likely primed for release, sporting the same 5-inch, 1080p, KitKat goodness that the other three hues (Gunmetal gray, Arctic silver, and Rose gold) are packing.

So specific date has been announced just yet, but it's looking mighty fine, no? As soon as an announcement is made on availability, we'll let you know--or, you can check Verizon's HTC One (M8) page for yourself. In the meantime, check out our HTC One (M8) unboxing video after the jump.

Click to continue reading Glamour Red HTC One (M8) heading to Verizon


Unboxing Live 139: HTC One (M8)

I give you a look at the new HTC One (M8) smartphone in this episode of Unboxing Live. The M8 is the follow-up to my favorite Android phone of last year, the HTC One (see our original HTC One video review.) I open it up and give you a tour of the smartphone, which boasts impressive specs and some of the nicest hardware out there on a smartphone.

Want your own? Get the HTC One M8 from these carriers:

Main Specs:

  • 5-inch 1080p display
  • Quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor
  • 16GB capacity
  • HTC UltraPixel camera
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi
  • 5-megapixel wide angle front camera
  • Android Jelly Bean with HTC Sense
  • HTC BoomSound dual front stereo speakers
  • 2600mAh battery

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel, and don't forget--we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!

 

Click to continue reading Unboxing Live 139: HTC One (M8)


HTC One (M8): Quad-core, 1080p, KitKat, available today for $199

HTC One M8 gunmetal

This morning, HTC officially announced the HTC One (M8) during a New York City press conference. It's the new flagship device from the company, replacing last year's original HTC One smartphone, which we thought was the best Android phone of the year (you can see our original HTC One review here.) HTC did what it could to make the device better in every way, including a unique camera system. With that said, there's a lot to go over, so let's get to it.

Click to continue reading HTC One (M8): Quad-core, 1080p, KitKat, available today for $199


Here’s where to pre-order your iPhone 5c right now!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,

iPhone 5c pre-order

Excited about getting your hands on the iPhone 5c? If you're ready to pay now, you'll be happy to know that pre-orders are now available at the Apple Store online, as well as through the sites of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. When you pre-order, you'll ensure that the iPhone 5c arrives and is in your hands on launch day, September 20th. Here's where you can pre-order the iPhone 5c:

  • Apple
  • Sprint
  • T-Mobile
  • Verizon Wireless

Those looking to pre-order the iPhone 5s are out of luck. Apple won't be offering pre-sales on the new flagship. Instead, interested parties can order one online on September 20th for delivery within a few days, or line-up early that morning to grab one on day one.

Read More | iPhone 5c Pre-order

HTC One to debut on Verizon later this summer

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

HTC One Verizon

This morning, Verizon announced that it will begin carrying the HTC One later this summer. This news means that, soon, the HTC One will be available on all four major carriers here in the US, matching other major phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5. Verizon has not announced any specific date or pricing (although we'd have to think it would be $199 with two-year contract,) nor any potential hardware differences, but that information will likely come sooner rather than later.

Be sure to check out our HTC One video review for more on this fantastic smartphone.

Read More | Verizon Twitter

Nokia Lumia 928 outed in Vanity Fair

Nokia Lumia 928 low light pureview

We've been keeping tabs on the Nokia Lumia 928 for a while, but it has never been confirmed in any official capacity until today. The Lumia 928 quietly made an appearance in a two-page advertisment spread in Vanity Fair, as well as on a simple page on the Nokia Web site. It appears that the 928 is focusing on the camera:

Nokia exclusive PureView technology, with Optical Image Stabilization and high-end Carl Zeiss optics let you capture and share amazing blur-free photos and videos, even in low light conditions.

As expected, Verizon Wireless will be the carrier for the Lumia 928. Expect a nice, official unveiling to take place a week from today, on May 14th. We aren't expecting the internals to be too different from the Nokia Lumia 920.


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