Tag Archives: telecommunication

Spotify is now the default music player in the Opera One browser

Posted on by

It has long been possible to listen to music from within Opera's browser. If you go down its sidebar, you'll see a player icon where you can choose from Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer and then log into any of them with your account details. But now Opera has teamed up with Spotify and has made the music streaming service the default option on the company's flagship browser with generative AI features, Opera One. 

After logging into your account and activating the player, you'll be able to detach it from the sidebar and move it around the screen to a place that wouldn't interrupt your workflow. The player will float inside the browser and will not disappear if you tab away. It also automatically fades out the audio that's currently playing when you join meetings and calls. Your songs will remain paused for the duration of the call or meeting and will resume as soon as it's over. 

Perhaps the best thing about the companies' teamup, if you live in a certain location at least, is that you can get Spotify Premium for free if you don't have a subscription yet. If you're in Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the US or Vietnam, you can redeem two to three months of Spotify Premium at no cost from within the browser's sidebar. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/spotify-is-now-the-default-music-player-in-the-opera-one-browser-090024069.html?src=rss

T-Mobile and Starlink enable their satellite texting service in Florida

Posted on by

The Federal Communications Commission has given Starlink and T-Mobile permission to enable their satellite texting service for Florida residents ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall. In an announcement on X, SpaceX said that Starlink's Direct to Cell satellites will provide emergency alerts for all phones and carriers, not just T-Mobile's, for those in affected areas. The companies have also enabled basic texting for T-Mobile subscribers, so that they can send and receive texts, as well as text 911 for emergencies, even if they get cut off from the carrier's network in the midst of the storm. 

SpaceX said the companies have activated Direct to Cell for Florida while it's also in the middle of delivering over 10,000 Starlink kits in response to Hurricane Helene. A few days ago, the FCC allowed T-Mobile and Starlink to activate their Direct to Cell service for North Carolina, where more than half of cell towers temporarily went out of commission due to the hurricane. 

Starlink's and T-Mobile's Direct to Cell service hasn't been fully deployed yet. They'd only sent and received the first text messages using the technology back in January. And while they're aiming to start offering their messaging service this year, T-Mobile said they'd deployed an "early test version" of it in the hurricane-hit areas. 

Users will know if their phone connects to a Starlink satellite if they only have one-to-two bars of signal and their network name says "T-Mobile SpaceX." The private space company said they'd have to manually try re-sending messages if they didn't go through the first time and that the service works best outdoors. If users can't get to open spaces safely, they can also try sending messages indoors near a window. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/t-mobile-and-starlink-enable-their-satellite-texting-service-in-florida-100013275.html?src=rss

8BitDo’s Ultimate C controller is cheaper than it was on Prime Day at only $15

Posted on by

Update, September 17, 9:35AM ET: This deal has ended on the green model but is still available on lilac purple. Furthermore, additional early October Prime Day deals are now available alongside the official announcement of Amazon's autumn sale event.  

The temperature will soon be dropping and that means we have more excuses to stay inside and dig into the games we love. If you're a computer gamer looking to upgrade your setup in anticipation, then now might just be the time to do it. Currently, 8Bitdo's Ultimate C Wired Controller is available for $15, down from $20 — a 25 percent discount. The sale brings this controller to a new all-time low price, a dollar less than it was on Prime Day.

You can get the marked-down 8Bitdo Ultimate C Wired Controller in Lilac Purple (Field Green, pictured, has since returned to full price). The controller is compatible with Steam Deck, Windows and Android, though the rumble vibrations only work on Windows. It also has a plug-and-play for a PC with a USB cord attached. 

If you can't be bothered with a wired controller, check out 8Bitdo's Ultimate C Wireless model. Right now, it's full price at $30 but has dropped to $25 in the past. It runs up to 25 hours on a charge and connects to your device through a 2.4GHz USB dongle. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/8bitdos-ultimate-c-controller-is-cheaper-than-it-was-on-prime-day-at-only-15-135145286.html?src=rss

Starlink competitor AST SpaceMobile launched its Bluebird smartphone satellites this morning

Posted on by

AST SpaceMobile is taking another step toward its goal of providing a space-based mobile communications network — one that would turn any standard smartphone into a satellite phone, no additional hardware required. After announcing that its network of five commercial satellites is scheduled to launch into low-Earth orbit on September 12, the launch took place successfully this morning. You can watch the launch below; the 10-second countdown starts at 1:16:09 in the video.

The company's five BlueBird satellites are equipped with communications arrays that aim to provide standard off-the-shelf smartphones with the same voice, data and video speeds as a broadband tower. Once in orbit, AST's satellites will provide "non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and in select markets globally." The network can allow unmodified mobile phones to act as satellite phones, which would provide an option for cell users to communicate even in areas with limited broadband tower coverage, such as rural communities or national parks.

At the start, this BlueBird network will be focused on servicing beta test customers from the AT&T and Verizon networks. AST landed a deal with AT&T in May to offer satellite communication to its customers. The company also worked with AT&T to complete its first successful two-way voice call over its satellites in April 2023, followed by a successful 4G data download test in June 2023.

Update, September 12 2024, 11:07AM ET: This story has been updated to confirm that the launch took place successfully this morning.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/starlink-competitor-ast-spacemobile-launched-its-bluebird-smartphone-satellites-this-morning-184506110.html?src=rss

Prime Day deals bring the Google Pixel Buds Pro down to their lowest price yet

Posted on by

Amazon Prime Day is finally here and, boy oh boy, the deals overfloweth. Case in point? You can pick up a pair of Google Pixel Buds Pro earbuds for just $120, instead of $200. That’s a discount of $80 and a record-low price for the well-reviewed buds.

The Pixel Buds Pro made our list of the best wireless earbuds for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we love the sound. These earbuds offer deep and punchy bass, which is a rarity with this class of device. They also have decent ANC, reliable touch controls and wireless charging. There are also some added convenience features for those already tied to the Android and Pixel ecosystems.

In our official review, we called these earbuds the company’s best offering yet. The tap and swipe-based gestural controls work much better than you think they would. These controls are also mirrored on both sides and a long press will switch on ANC, which is ultra-convenient.

No earbuds are perfect. The Google Pixel Buds Pro offer a transparency mode, but it needs some work. In fairness, that’s a bit tough to get right with earbuds. Pairing could be quicker, but that’s something of a nitpick. Our main gripe with these earbuds, however, has consistently been the exorbitant price, which has been alleviated by this sale.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/prime-day-deals-bring-the-google-pixel-buds-pro-down-to-their-lowest-price-yet-123540771.html?src=rss

How Messages via Satellite will work on iOS 18 and how much it will cost

Posted on by

Apple is slowly turning the iPhone into a fairly capable satellite communications device. It first rolled out Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14 lineup. While you were previously limited to relying on the spacecraft for communications only when dialing emergency services, in iOS 18 this capability will apply to all situations where you're away from cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. I got to check out the updated experience at Apple Park, here's how it will work with iMessage or SMS messages.

When you’ve been disconnected from cellular or Wi-Fi for some time, an alert will appear to say you’ll need to hop on satellite communications to send messages. Tapping this notification brings up the new connection assistant, which contains all your satellite-powered tools, like Find My, roadside assistance and emergency SOS.

You can start a chat from this page or just go to the Messages app, where a prompt will appear in the Dynamic Island to instruct you on how to find an overhead satellite. You can also go to the Satellite option in Settings or in the Control Center to get set up when cellular or Wi-Fi signals aren’t available.

The connection experience here isn’t much different from before — you’ll be told what direction to point your iPhone, as well as suggestions to avoid obstructions. Once you’re linked, an indicator in the dynamic island shows a green check mark and it’ll continue to change colors and shapes if your connection begins to weaken.

To prevent networks getting congested with promotional SMS messages, Apple has made it so the person that’s off grid is the one who can initiate SMS chats over satellite. That is, except for people who are listed as your emergency contacts or your iCloud family members. Their messages will still come through when you’re on a satellite connection. Regardless of whether you’re using iMessage or SMS, you’ll only be able to send texts, emojis or tapback reactions. Compressing these into packages small enough to convey over satellite is already challenging, not to mention images and video.

In my demo on an iPhone that was tweaked so it couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, I watched an Apple rep connect to an available satellite via the Dynamic Island’s interface, then send a text to another person. On the sender’s phone, the words “iMessage. Satellite” appeared above the blue bubble, and the same showed up on the recipient’s phone over the gray bubble. Read receipts aren’t supported over satellite, so I only saw the “delivered” and “sent” status labels under the bubbles.

It’s nice to see both SMS and iMessage supported over satellite, even if only the latter is end-to-end encrypted. Apple’s decision to include SMS is thoughtful, and though I’d like RCS to be covered as well, that platform’s messages are too large or complicated to compress effectively. They are, after all, going to satellite infrastructure over 800 miles away from Earth, and targeting spacecraft that are moving at 15,000 miles per hour.

The company still hasn’t shared details on the pricing for satellite connectivity and related features after its free trial is over, but for now, those with an iPhone 14 and newer will be able to use these features for free. Apple’s provision here is a little confusing at the moment, but basically you get two years of free satellite service from the time you purchase your new iPhone, and in November 2023 the company added another year to its free trial. In theory that’s a window of a total of three years, though it might depend on when you bought your iPhone, since Apple didn’t initially offer a two-year period.

iOS 18 is expected to come to iPhones this fall, and we'll undoubtedly find out more about Messages via Satellite before then. We'll update this article with more information as and when we get it.

Catch up here for all the news out of Apple's WWDC 2024.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-messages-via-satellite-will-work-on-ios-18-and-how-much-it-will-cost-130020976.html?src=rss

T-Mobile to acquire majority of US Cellular, further consolidating carrier market

Posted on by

T-Mobile will acquire the majority of US Cellular in a deal worth approximately $4.4 billion. This means that T-Mobile will own all of US Cellular’s stores, some of its spectrum assets and some of its customers. The deal includes a combination of cash and up to $2 billion of assumed debt, according to a press release by US Cellular. The companies expect to finalize the purchase by mid-2025, though the deal must attain regulatory approval.

All told, T-Mobile will walk away with around 30 percent of US Cellular’s wireless spectrum, which it hopes to use to improve coverage in rural areas and offer better connectivity to current US Cellular customers throughout the country. Current customers will be able to keep their plans or switch to a similar T-Mobile contract.

US Cellular will retain 70 percent of its wireless spectrum and towers. Additionally, it will lease space on around 2,100 additional towers to T-Mobile. "The decisions we announced today are in the best interests of our customers and our shareholders. T-Mobile is the right partner for our wireless operations," said Laurent Therivel, CEO of US Cellular.

This is just the latest consolidation move by T-Mobile. The company recently acquired the Ryan Reynolds-backed Mint Mobile, via the purchase of parent company Ka'ena Corporation for around $1.35 billion. T-Mobile also merged with Sprint back in 2020. It’s basically Pac-Man, but instead of dots it hoovers up smaller cellular carriers.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that T-Mobile had teamed up with frenemy Verizon to “carve up” US Cellular’s wireless spectrum, but it looks like that deal has either fallen through or will be significantly delayed.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/t-mobile-to-acquire-majority-of-us-cellular-further-consolidating-carrier-market-152212548.html?src=rss

T-Mobile to acquire majority of US Cellular, further consolidating carrier market

Posted on by

T-Mobile will acquire the majority of US Cellular in a deal worth approximately $4.4 billion. This means that T-Mobile will own all of US Cellular’s stores, some of its spectrum assets and some of its customers. The deal includes a combination of cash and up to $2 billion of assumed debt, according to a press release by US Cellular. The companies expect to finalize the purchase by mid-2025, though the deal must attain regulatory approval.

All told, T-Mobile will walk away with around 30 percent of US Cellular’s wireless spectrum, which it hopes to use to improve coverage in rural areas and offer better connectivity to current US Cellular customers throughout the country. Current customers will be able to keep their plans or switch to a similar T-Mobile contract.

US Cellular will retain 70 percent of its wireless spectrum and towers. Additionally, it will lease space on around 2,100 additional towers to T-Mobile. "The decisions we announced today are in the best interests of our customers and our shareholders. T-Mobile is the right partner for our wireless operations," said Laurent Therivel, CEO of US Cellular.

This is just the latest consolidation move by T-Mobile. The company recently acquired the Ryan Reynolds-backed Mint Mobile, via the purchase of parent company Ka'ena Corporation for around $1.35 billion. T-Mobile also merged with Sprint back in 2020. It’s basically Pac-Man, but instead of dots it hoovers up smaller cellular carriers.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that T-Mobile had teamed up with frenemy Verizon to “carve up” US Cellular’s wireless spectrum, but it looks like that deal has either fallen through or will be significantly delayed.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/t-mobile-to-acquire-majority-of-us-cellular-further-consolidating-carrier-market-152212548.html?src=rss

AT&T deal will make every phone a satellite phone

Posted on by

Soon, AT&T subscribers will have the option to ensure that they have access to cell service even in typical dead zones, like deep inside national parks or far-flung rural locations. The mobile carrier has been working with AST SpaceMobile since 2018 under a Memorandum of Understanding, helping the latter test two-way audio calls, texts and video calls via satellites in space using ordinary smartphones. Now, the companies have entered a definitive commercial agreement, which means AT&T is getting close to offering subscribers the capability to transform their regular phones into legit satellite devices.

Phones need to be close enough to cell towers to be able to get any sort of service. That's why people aren't usually able to call their families, or even text them, when they're in a forest or in the mountains. AT&T's satellite-to-phone service will use satellites as cell towers, and since they're placed in orbit, they're able to provide connectivity even in remote areas.

The companies have reached an agreement just in time for a rocket launch this summer that will ferry five commercial AST satellites to space. Those satellites will enable AT&T to roll out its service and are just the first ones in the company's planned constellation. Unfortunately, AT&T has yet to reveal a specific rollout date for the service, and it's also unclear if it will charge extra for the capability.

Last year, AT&T wrote the FCC to raise concerns about a similar satellite-to-phone technology T-Mobile and SpaceX's Starlink are working on. The two companies formed an alliance in 2022, promising to provide users with a service that they'll be able to access even if they're in the middle of the ocean. SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell service capability in January 2024, and the companies sent and received the first text messages via T-Mobile using the satellites a week later. The carrier said it's planning to offer satellite-based texting to the public sometime this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/att-deal-will-make-every-phone-a-satellite-phone-101351590.html?src=rss

AT&T deal will make every phone a satellite phone

Posted on by

Soon, AT&T subscribers will have the option to ensure that they have access to cell service even in typical dead zones, like deep inside national parks or far-flung rural locations. The mobile carrier has been working with AST SpaceMobile since 2018 under a Memorandum of Understanding, helping the latter test two-way audio calls, texts and video calls via satellites in space using ordinary smartphones. Now, the companies have entered a definitive commercial agreement, which means AT&T is getting close to offering subscribers the capability to transform their regular phones into legit satellite devices.

Phones need to be close enough to cell towers to be able to get any sort of service. That's why people aren't usually able to call their families, or even text them, when they're in a forest or in the mountains. AT&T's satellite-to-phone service will use satellites as cell towers, and since they're placed in orbit, they're able to provide connectivity even in remote areas.

The companies have reached an agreement just in time for a rocket launch this summer that will ferry five commercial AST satellites to space. Those satellites will enable AT&T to roll out its service and are just the first ones in the company's planned constellation. Unfortunately, AT&T has yet to reveal a specific rollout date for the service, and it's also unclear if it will charge extra for the capability.

Last year, AT&T wrote the FCC to raise concerns about a similar satellite-to-phone technology T-Mobile and SpaceX's Starlink are working on. The two companies formed an alliance in 2022, promising to provide users with a service that they'll be able to access even if they're in the middle of the ocean. SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell service capability in January 2024, and the companies sent and received the first text messages via T-Mobile using the satellites a week later. The carrier said it's planning to offer satellite-based texting to the public sometime this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/att-deal-will-make-every-phone-a-satellite-phone-101351590.html?src=rss