AT&T and GE are working together to make our cities smarter

Why it matters to you

The Internet of Things is already taking over your home, and now, a partnership between AT&T and GE may help it take over your city as well.

AT&T and GE are working together to monitor and mic up our cities. It’s not quite as creepy as it sounds — rather, the two technology companies are hoping that their new collaboration will “help accelerate the digital era of urban development” by connecting cities throughout the U.S. and Mexico to the Internet of Things. With this connectivity, AT&T and GE hope that cities and their denizens will be able to better operate, communicate, and meet one another’s needs.

With the new collaboration, AT&T has been named the exclusive reseller of GE’s “Current” technology, which ought to help the telecommunications company further its Smart Cities services, which have been operational since 2015. For example, AT&T will now have access to GE’s Predix-powered IoT platform, which will allow for the implementation of outdoor LED lighting in a city to help establish digital infrastructure that could assist in a variety of issues: traffic, parking, gunshot detection, air quality monitoring, and weather alerts.

Current brings together energy technology like LED and solar with various sensors and software to help users (which include cities, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities) cut down on their energy costs and make for more intelligent environments.

More: AT&T insists the FCC has no basis for halting its merger with Time Warner

“Intelligent lighting plays a huge role in a smart city,” said Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. “Our collaboration with Current will enable us to use a city’s existing lighting infrastructure to more securely connect sensor-enabled networks. This will put them on the path to becoming a smarter, more sustainable city.”

Just a few days prior, AT&T and GE worked together to equip 3,200 street lights in San Diego with cameras, microphones, and sensors, making San Diego a large-scale smart city. But clearly, that’s just the beginning of the partnership between these two companies.

“We are thrilled to expand Current’s relationship with AT&T to help cities redefine the civic engagement model—our digital network is based on an open platform, which allows entrepreneurs, incubators and students to get involved in the future development of smart city applications,” said John Gordon, Chief Digital Officer of Current, powered by GE. “Our goal is to bring the combined power of GE and AT&T to municipalities in a way that pulls from the best of both worlds.”

T-Mobile working with Ericsson to bring gigabit LTE to customers in 2017

Why it matters to you

Major partnerships like this are helping to drive the market toward providing faster internet speeds.

5G isn’t (quite) here yet, but that doesn’t mean that we have to settle for much less. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Monday morning, February 27, T-Mobile and Ericsson announced that the two companies would be working together to bring gigabit-capable 4G LTE to the U.S. in 2017.

Sprint made a similar announcement, with the debut of its “Massive MIMO” base station, featuring 128 antennas that can send radio beams to specific customers’ phones. So could this be the beginning of 5G?

While it’s technically not the same technology, it’ll certainly be getting speeds up to comparable levels. In the case of T-Mobile, the Un-carrier has been setting up a national 4G network using Ericsson’s Antenna-Integrated Radio (AIR), 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), and 256 and 64 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). T-Mobile also boasts 700MHz tuning and optimization thanks to Ericsson.

More: Your next device could run on a network called LTE-U, thanks to T-Mobile

This technology, combined with carrier aggregation, will allow T-Mobile to give customers gigabit speeds. And when paired with T-Mobile’s recently announced LTE-U capabilities, customers could be in for speeds of up to 1Gbps.

“T-Mobile’s LTE network is the most advanced in the U.S., and we’ll continue to deploy the latest, global-leading technologies that will create the foundation of a powerful 5G network built for mobility,” said T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray. “We work closely with strategic partners like Ericsson to deliver the most advanced technologies that enhance our customers’ experience.”

Of course, while both T-Mobile and Sprint are excited about how well this new technology could set the stage for 5G, they’re pretty clear that this is not the real thing. As Sprint CTO John Saw noted, “We’re not the marketing department … I think that the gigabit LTE path that we’re on is our path to 5G, [but] I think 5G is more than just gigabit LTE.”

Regardless, it seems that in 2017, you can look forward to much faster connections on your smartphone.

Spigen is offering a variety of its LG G6 cases for as little as $4 for a limited time

Our friends at Thrifter are back with another great deal, this time saving you 70% on select Spigen LG G6 cases!

The LG G6 is now official and it has a huge display and lots of glass, so odds are you’ll want to keep it in a case of some sort. If you’re looking for a great option that doesn’t add too much bulk or make it look ugly, you’ll want to check out Spigen. Right now the company is offering 70% off a variety of its cases for the LG G6 ahead of its release, so you can have one delivered before you get your phone so it is protected from the start.

Whether you are looking for a clear slim case, or a wallet case, there is likely something here that will meet your needs, so see which one you like! Some of the cases are available right now, others are listed as pre-order with shipping dates of as late as March 13, so be sure to check on the one you want for its availability.

• Liquid Crystal – Crystal Clear – $3.90 with coupon code AC70OFF1
• Rugged Armor – Black – $4.50 with coupon AC70OFF2
• Thin Fit – Black – $3.90 with coupon AC70OFF3
• Ultra Hybrid – Crystal Clear – $4.50 with coupon AC70OFF4
• Tough Armor – Gunmetal – $5.70 with coupon AC70OFF5
• Neo Hybrid – Gunmetal – $5.40 with coupon AC70OFF6
• Wallet S – Black – $6.00 with coupon AC70OFF7

These deals are only good for one day, February 27, so if you are interested be sure to grab one now! Which option will be protecting your new LG G6 when it arrives? Let us know in the comments!

For more great deals on tech, gadgets, home goods and more, be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

LG G6

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These are the alternative carriers that use AT&T’s network

Here are a list of the alternative carriers that work with AT&T’s network.

Note: This article was last updated February 27, 2017.

What is an MVNO? It’s a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), or an alternative carrier. They’ve become increasingly reliable over the years and remained the cheapest in the mobile industry. And perhaps you didn’t know that some of the major operators are actually providing for those smaller carriers. These are the ones that use AT&T’s network, which means that the signal should be pretty good in most parts of the U.S.

If you’re curious whether your phone will work with AT&T, make sure it supports at least one (but preferably all) of the following LTE bands:

• Band 4
• Band 12
• Band 2
• Band 5

Complete List of AT&T MVNOs

• Pure Talk USA
• Consumer Cellular
• Cricket Wireless
• H2O Wireless
• Red Pocket Mobile
• Jolt Mobile
• Straight Talk
• AT&T GoPhone
• Net10
• CampusSIMs
• Airvoice
• Black Wireless

New Galaxy S8 leaks show black will be the only color worth buying

The natural consequence of tiny bezels.

The countdown clock for Samsung’s official reveal of the Galaxy S8 has started, which means the slow and steady trickle of leaks has become a seemingly nonstop wave. That’s not going to stop Samsung from putting on what has historically be a fairly impressive display at the end of March, but it does give everyone time to be overly critical of things seen in poorly-lit shaky cam leaks.

This most recent batch of photos and videos calls into question the sheer volume of things going on at the top of this phone, and what it means to people who might want a color other than black when the S8 is official.

You don’t get much from this brief video clip, outside of further confirmation of what we already knew about this phone. Like the LG G6, this phone is going to be very tall and the corners of the display are going to be weirdly rounded. Samsung’s curved display edges make an appearance, and the home button has been replaced at long last with virtual keys.

It looks like the Galaxy S8 is going to shine brightest in its darker variant.

Removing the home key for added screen real estate meant moving the fingerprint sensor to the back, which we already knew and mostly didn’t care for, but check out all of the cut-outs on the top bezel of this thing.

There’s the standard light sensor and speaker grill combo, what is supposed to be an 8MP front-facing camera, and an entirely separate camera sensor for retina scanning. Each of the cameras appear to have their own IR sensor for quick focus and more light for the retina scanner, which brings the grand total to six cut-outs on a bezel that is barely thicker than the camera glass.

It’s a lot of black space in an area that didn’t have a lot of color to begin with, which means there’s only one color variant of this phone where all of those cut-outs aren’t going to constantly stand out.

What do you barely notice at all in this video leak with the all black variant of the Galaxy S8? That’s right, those cut-outs are almost entirely gone. In much the same way that the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 looked best in that glossy piano black, it looks like the Galaxy S8 is going to shine brightest in its darker variant.

This probably doesn’t matter much to folks that will take the Galaxy S8 from its retail packaging and drop it immediately into a protective casing for the rest of its existence. For those that appreciate Samsung’s evolving design language and want to appreciate the phone as it was made, it’s starting to look like you’ll want to try and reserve a black model early.

OPPO promises 5x optical zoom without an ugly camera bump

OPPO’s latest camera tech brings 5x optical zoom with no loss in quality.

OPPO isn’t launching a new phone at Mobile World Congress, but the Chinese manufacturer is showing off its latest camera tech at the conference. The company is debuting 5x Dual Camera Zoom, an interesting take on the dual camera module designed to deliver 5x optical zoom without the need for a bulky module.

The culmination of a year-long development effort, OPPO’s sensor features a telephoto lens and wide-angle lens, which isn’t all that different from what other vendors have done. What’s unique about OPPO’s approach is that the telephoto lens is set at a 90-degree angle, with a periscope-style setup diverting light from a prism and onto the lens.

In doing so, OPPO has managed to shrink the size of the camera module to just 5.7mm, allowing it to fit into phones and not have a protrusion sticking out the back. The sensor itself has over 50 individual parts, and OPPO is also offering improved image stabilization.

OPPO hasn’t detailed when the sensor will make its debut, but it should be making its way into the company’s 2017 flagship.

Nokia’s Android phones are coming to India in June, as well as the all-new 3310

Nokia’s Android phones will be locally manufactured in India.

Nokia unveiled its first Android phones for the global market at Mobile World Congress, and there’s a lot to be excited about. The Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 are all aimed at the budget segment, but they bring Nokia’s storied design as well as decent specs for the asking price.

India has always been a huge market for Nokia, and HMD Global’s VP for the Indian market, Ajey Mehta, has revealed to FoneArena that the phones will be debuting in the country in the month of June.

HMD Global’s manufacturing partner Foxconn will locally assemble the Nokia-branded phones from day one, which should make the handsets competitively priced in the market. All three phones will offer dual-SIM connectivity — a table stakes feature in India — and will be compatible with Jio’s 4G network.

There’s no word on pricing right now, but HMD Global has confirmed that the Nokia phones will be sold offline and online. Nokia of old was known for its customer service, and HMD Global has reiterated that after-sales service will be a focus for the company. Finally, the all-new Nokia 3310 will also make its debut in India in June.

Hands-on with the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6

What are the advantages of going with an alternative carrier?

Using an alternative to the big four wireless providers is a great idea for many of us, and here are some reasons why.

When we talk about phone companies most of us automatically think of the big four here in the U.S.: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. But they’re not the only choices when it comes to who you get your service from and the popularity of alternative carriers is on the rise.

It’s not difficult to understand why. Having a carrier that uses the same nationwide networks the big guys do without some of the baggage that comes along with those big guys is an attractive position for a lot of people. There is a lot to talk about, both good and bad, in any discussion about finding the right carrier and if a smaller alternative option is best for you. The advantages for you are especially important to consider.

You can save a lot of money

Depending on how you use your phone (as always) you can save a nice chunk of money every month. Different companies use different ways to price out your data. Some will let you buy several months worth of data at significantly less compared to a monthly payment. Others let you buy an amount of data and use it until it’s gone, and others charge a flat fee and bill or credit you based on how much data you used in a month.

Not everyone needs an unlimited data plan.

The things they all have in common as that you’re not paying for data you didn’t use. Combined with cheaper prices per block of data this can mean a smaller bill if you don’t use a lot of data. Alternative carriers are not for people who need unlimited data, but not everyone needs unlimited data.

This is the biggest reason people choose to move away from the big players in the industry and try something different. If you look at where you use your data and how much you use, you could be one of those people.

You might get a better coverage map

An alternative carrier doesn’t own the cell towers and infrastructure they use to provide service. They lease it at a set price from the bigger carriers and resell service to you and me. Sometimes they lease from more than one carrier and can provide service in all the places from both.

No carrier is good everywhere, but unless you’re in a very rural part of the country you’ll have at least one company with good service. A company that can offer service using two coverage maps has an advantage for anyone who spends time where they are covered by at least one.

Not all carriers do this, so be sure to do your homework when you choose. Two notable examples are Net10 and Red Pocket who lease service from all four major carriers.

No-frills service

You’re paying for calls, texts, and data. That’s all you’re going to get.

There’s no denying that some of the perks phone carriers can offer are nice. Unlimited texting to Canada and Mexico is a good example. But some folks just don’t need anything extra.

By not having extra services the price can be cheaper. If you don’t need anything more than basic service and 4G data, an alternative carrier could be great for you.

No credit checks

Times can be tough and less than great credit can make getting a post-paid account with the big four carriers difficult. And a credit check leaves a record on you that can adversely affect something like a car loan or mortgage.

If you don’t want to go through a credit check for any reason, you might choose an alternative carrier who doesn’t require one. Most don’t, and you simply pay up front for what you use.

Bring your own phone

As long as it’s compatible with the network you choose, you can bring your existing phone and use it without any problems.

You can also buy any unlocked phone that works with the network from anywhere you like. This gives you a lot of choices from most all companies making phones today.

Best of all, you can change phones at any time. If you like the phone you have now you can use it until you like something else better. With the cost of the service being completely separate from the cost of your phone any decisions are yours to make.

While they aren’t for everyone, you can see there are some really compelling reasons to give another carrier a try, even if they don’t have the brand-power the bigger ones may.

This cheap accessory will protect your privacy if your webcam is hacked!

People could hack your webcam and spy on your; here’s how to stop them!

Yes, in case you didn’t know already, your webcam can be hacked, meaning people can turn it on remotely and theoretically use it to film you without your knowledge. Scary? Most definitely, but how maybe people are actually concerned about this? Let’s take a look at one famous example.

Mark Zuckerberg

Last year CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg posted this photo.

Look at his laptop at the left side of the photo, notice his webcam is covered? If you’ve ever seen The Social Network, you know Mark Zuckerberg has some personal experience with hacking, so at the very least this photo should confirm that it’s a real issue.

How can I protect myself from the webcam peeping toms?

You could do the Mark Zuckerberg approach, and just use a piece of tape or a post-it note for over your webcam and it won’t cost you anything; however, you could leave marks on your laptop or PC and it doesn’t look very elegant.

Of course, you shouldn’t do anything in life just because a famous billionaire does it, but I personally believe personal privacy is worth some minor investments and investing in an inexpensive webcam cover is a good idea.

Smooz Webcam Cover 3-Pack

These thin little metal cover stick right over your webcam and allow you to slide a shutter back and forth to expose the webcam or cover it up.

The Smooz Webcam Cover is minimalist in design and will cover almost any onboard webcam on most laptops and PCs, without covering any other sensors your computer may have located in the area.

Plus, for just about $10 you’ll get three webcam covers, meaning you could install them on your PC, your laptop, and heck even your phone if you felt it was necessary.

See on Amazon

What about external webcams?

If you use an external webcam, you can find covers for those plenty of models out there. Alternatively. If you don’t mind a little extra hassle, you could always unplug your webcam when it’s not in use.

Do you use a webcam cover?

Are you worried about webcam intruders? Let us know if you cover your webcams by leaving a comment down below.

Sony’s Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra round out its mid-range lineup

With a 4K screen and Snapdragon 835 chip, the new Xperia XZ Premium has plenty of appeal, but there’s probably a reason Sony didn’t mention the price. Luckily, at MWC 2017 it also unveiled the $700 Xperia XZs, a 5.2-inch, 1080p smartphone with a “mere” Snapdragon 820 chip. If it was the sensor you really wanted on the Premium model, you’re in luck — the Xperia XZs has the same 19-megapixel Motion Eye camera that does 4K video and up to 960 frames per second.

Sony’s camera expertise is really the main reason to buy the Xperia XZs, as $700 still ain’t cheap. The rest of the specs are merely okay: 4GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, a 2,900mAh battery, NFC and high-resolution audio support. You’d do better, parts-wise, with a OnePlus 3T, for example, as it packs a Snapdragon 821 and a much bigger battery for $439. What you’re paying for, then, is that impressive camera and, to a lesser extent, Sony’s good name. The Xperia XZs comes to Amazon, Best Buy and other US retailers on April 5th, 2017, for $700.

Sony is still in the mid-range smartphone game, though like rival HTC, you have to wonder how much longer that’ll last. Along with the two XZ models, it unveiled the 5-inch, 720p Xperia XA1 and 6-inch Xperia XA1 Ultra (above) with a 1080p screen. Neither are much to write home about, other than (you guessed it) the cameras. Each features a 23-megapixel rear sensor, with the Xperia XA1 Ultra being the more selfie-oriented of the two with a 16-megapixel front camera, optical image stabilization and an LED flash rather than the 8-megapixel model of the XA1.

Both have MediaTek Octa Core CPUs, up to 64GB memory (upgradeable via a microSD card), 4GB of RAM (Xperia XA1 Ultra) or 3GB of RAM (Xperia XA1) and smallish 2,700 mAh (XA1 Ultra) or 2,300 mAh (XA1) batteries. The Xperia XA1 arrives in the US on April 26th, 2017, for $300 — a price that makes it a hard sell here unless, again, you really want the Sony name and camera. The XA1 Ultra arrives sometime in the summer of 2017, but Sony has yet to set the price.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.