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3
May

Complete List of T-Mobile MVNOs


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If you’re a fan of T-Mobile’s coverage but are looking for a better deal, check out an MVNO.

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are “alternative carriers” that lease coverage and network access from the “Big Four” carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint) and offers similar services for less. T-Mobile, which has branded itself as the Uncarrier, supports a ton of MVNOs, so if you like the coverage of T-Mo provides in your area, you might be able to save yourself some money by switching to a cheaper alternative carrier plan.

T-Mobile operates a GSM and LTE network across 700MHz, 1900MHz and the combined 1700/2100MHz (also known as AWS) frequencies. During its vast expansion of LTE throughout 2013, T-Mobile shifted its spectrum holdings in a way that better aligned itself with the network map of AT&T, making it easier for customers of that carrier to bring their phones over to T-Mobile without issue. As such, if you’ve got an unlocked T-Mobile or AT&T device, you should be able to use it on one of the following MVNOs.

  • Consumer Cellular
  • EcoMobile
  • GoSmart
  • Hayai Mobile
  • Jaguar Mobile
  • Jolt Mobile
  • KidsConnect
  • Liberty Wireless
  • MetroPCS
  • Mint Sim
  • Net10 Wireless
  • Red Pocket Mobile
  • Republic Wireless
  • Simple Mobile
  • Speed Talk Mobile
  • Straight Talk
  • Telcel America
    -Tempo Telecom
  • The People’s Operator USA
  • Ting
  • TracFone
  • Ultra Mobile
  • Univision Mobile
  • US Mobile
  • Walmart Family Mobile
  • ZingPCS
  • Zip SIM

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Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is a great place to start shopping for MVNO plans, as it offers plans starting as low as $10 a month backed by a 30-day risk-free guarantee to try out the service.

You can build your own plan by combining your expected talk time with a Connect Plan that combines texts and web data into plans that start as low as $2.50 per month for 300 texts and a paltry 30MB of data with pricing tiers up to $40 for unlimited texts and 5GB of data.

Consumer Cellular lets you change your plan any time and as often as you need with no additional fees or penalties. You also have the option to add and share your minutes, texts and web data with additional lines for just $10 per month per line, with free calls between all phones on the same Consumer Cellular account — a compelling low-cost option for families or accommodating friends visiting from out of country.

Consumer Cellular has won awards for its outstanding customer service, offering flexible monthly plans with no contract. You’re always in control of your plan, and you will receive usage alerts when you’re approaching your monthly limits so you have time to adjust your usage or upgrade your plan as necessary.

Consumer Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, so you’re able to grab a free SIM card and use it in any previously used T-Mobile phone.

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EcoMobile

Eco’s a great carrier if you’re looking for great rates on international calling, with unlimited international calling available for free on plans of $30/month and up.

Plans start at $20 for unlimited talk, text, and 100MB of data. 2GB of data, unlimited talk, text, 2G data, and international calling is $30/month. All plans get voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, MMS (picture and video messaging), and domestic calling.

Note: Eco mobile works with Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile, so you must be sure you’re subscribing to the right tier that supports T-Mobile.

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GoSmart Mobile

GoSmart Mobile keeps it real simple by offering four plans that will be especially compelling to heavy Facebook and Facebook Messenger users — all plans come with unlimited 4G LTE access to the world’s most popular social media network.

Plans start as low as $25 a month for unlimited talk and text (no data included, but you still get unlimited Facebook access) and include the following plan featuring data:

  • $30 a month for unlimited talk and text, and 4GB of 3G data. This price includes a $5 discount for signing up for auto-refill (only available at this tier)
  • $45 a month for unlimited talk and text and 12.5GB of 3G data
  • $55 a month for unlimited talk and text and a whopping 20GB of 3G data

And those data numbers exclude your Facebook and Facebook Messenger data usage as well. If you’re alright settling for 3G data speeds, GoSmart Mobile offers some really compelling plans for heavy social media users. GoSmart also offers monthly and prepaid options for international calling for just $10.

You’re able to use any T-Mobile network compatible device you already own. Simply buy a GoSmart Mobile Sim Kit for around $8, pick the plan that’s right for you and you’re good to go.

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Hayai Mobile

Hayai Mobile offers upfront pricing on all its plans that include all taxes and fees. All smartphone plans include unlimited talk and text, with your best value coming from the Hayai Mobile Max plans. Your three options there are:

  • $29 a month for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of LTE data (then unlimited at 2G speeds)
  • $59 a month for unlimited talk and text and 5GB of LTE data (then unlimited at 2G speeds)
  • $79 a month for unlimited talk, text, and LTE data (up to 14GB, then there may be throttling)

All “Max” plans include unlimited music and video with over 50 services on your device that doesn’t count against your high-speed data. Some notable services include Google Music, Slacker, Spotify, Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube. This is similar to T-Mobile’s BingeOn service.

Smartphone plans also include other great features like Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail, and rollover data, but some features might not be available in rural areas.

If Hayai is sounding pretty sweet, you’ll also want to know that it offers special rates for firefighters, EMTs, nurses, teachers, military (both active or veterans), as well as college students studying at accredited schools. You will need to upload proof of employment or student ID during registration to qualify for the discounts.

All plans require you to bring your own device, and it also offers data-only plans perfect for tablets or LTE Hotspots, which it sells for $90.

Hayai also offers broadband internet for residential and businesses as well as TV packages, and it seems to be very keen to keep building out its network — Hayai even says that gigabit data speeds may be coming soon!

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Jolt Mobile

Jolt Mobile offers BYOD no-contract plans that start at $25 a month for unlimited talk and text and top out at $55 with 5GB of 4G LTE data. All monthly plans feature nationwide coverage, caller ID and voicemail.

It also offers PayGO plans for those looking for flexible pricing options starting at $15 or $20 depending on whether you prioritizing texting or data.

If you’re interested in trying out Jolt Mobile, all you need to do is order a free SIM card when you sign up for your preferred plan. Unlocked T-Mobile phones should have no compatibility issues with the network, though Jolt cannot guarantee that all phones will work.

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KidsConnect

While not a traditional MVNO, KidsConnect is worth mentioning because it offers a solution to a problem that is becoming more and more pressing for parenting in modern times: How to keep in touch and track your child via smartphone technology, but without just handing your young child untethered access to a smartphone.

The solution is the KidsConnect KC1, an $80 GPS tracker with built-in speed dialing features for up to four numbers. This device offers real time tracking in Google Maps, as well as location history. If there’s ever any trouble, the child can press the SOS button, which sends texts to up to four cell phone numbers, then starts autodialing each number until one is answered. Voice plans are all under $20 and since there’s no texting or data access on the device, you never have to worry about overage charges.

Parents have good reason to be wary about giving smartphones to their young children for the purposes of keeping them connected and safe. KidsConnect tries to allay those concerns and give parents the peace of mind they deserve.

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MetroPCS

MetroPCS isn’t technically a T-Mobile MVNO — it’s actually owned by T-Mobile. It boasts a reliable nationwide network and monthly no-contract plans with 4G LTE data that start as low as $30 a month, taxes and regulatory fees included. All plans include Data Maximizer, which streams video at a resolution ideal for smartphone screens, which helps to keep your data usage last up to three times longer. Plans can be upgraded to include unlimited calling to Mexico, Canada, or the world with device protection plans and an offer for unlimited music from Napster (still a thing, apparently).

Metro PCS offers all the latest phones from brands like Samsung, LG, and HTC, and also give you the option to bring your own device. SIM cards are available for $10 in store, so find the store nearest you.

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Mint SiM

Mint SIM is unique among MVNOs as it doesn’t operate with traditional contracts. You pay upfront for your term, which can be 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, with “buying in bulk” saving you more money in the long run. It’s owned by Ultra Mobile and uses T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.

Check out this table to see the pricing breakdown:

1 month $35 $50 $60
3 months $69 ($23/month) $99 ($33/month) $119 ($39.67/month)
6 months $119 ($19.83/month) $169 ($28.17/month) $209 ($34.83/month)
12 months $199 ($16.58/month) $299 ($24.92/month) $399 ($33.25/month)

All plans include unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data, though you only get so much 4G LTE per month. Unlimited international texting is included in all plans. Extra data can be added to your account on a per month basis at $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB.

Mint SIM lets you bring your own phone as long as it’s compatible with T-Mobile’s network.

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Net10 Wireless

Net10 Supports BYOD for compatible T-Mobile devices. Click here to check if your phone is compatible for the switch.

All smartphone plans come with unlimited talk, text, and 2G data. $35/month gets you 500MB of 4G LTE, but an extra $5/month gets you 3GB, and you can save $4/month if you sign up for Auto-Refill.

Like some other MVNOs in this list, Net10 actually uses all four major U.S. carrier to power its network, which means that if you have a newer phone, you’ll likely get great coverage throughout the U.S. — even if you don’t have T-Mobile coverage in a specific area.

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Project Fi

Project Fi is Google’s own alternative carrier option, which works by combining access to T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular’s networks with a SIM card that can actively switch between the three networks without any user intervention.

Plans start with the Fi Basics for just $20 per month which includes unlimited domestic talk and text. Data is bought at $10 per GB, and you’re credited for any data you don’t use at the end of each month making Project Fi one of the most flexible data plans in the country. Group plans are also available for up to five lines, where you’d share the same pool of data.

If you’re coming over from Sprint and want to bring your own device, it would have to be a Nexus 6P or Pixel as Google only supports a limited number of Google devices. You’re also able to buy or finance a new phone through Google if needed.

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Red Pocket Mobile

Red Pocket uses all of the big carriers’ networks, advertising that virtually every phone in America works with its services. That means if you’ve got a T-Mobile compatible device, you should have no problems bringing it over to Red Pocket Mobile.

Red Pocket has two basic plans to choose from and you can add to the second. The first plan is $10/month and gets you 500 minutes, 500 texts, and 100MB of 4G LTE. You can then buy extra texts, minutes, and LTE. The second plan is $19/month and gets you unlimited talk and text, with 100MB of 4G LTE. You can upgrade to unlimited 2G data with 500MB, 1GB, 3GB, or 5GB of 4G LTE for $6 to $41/month.

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Republic Wireless

Low-cost plans starting at just $15 a month. For that, you get unlimited talk and text, but you will have to rely on Wi-Fi for data. Plans with cell data start at $20 a month with 1GB at LTE speeds. Shop its plans and find the one that’s right for you. You remain in control of everything via the Republic Wireless app, which lets you see how you’re doing on your monthly limits and lets you adjust your plan to suit your needs.

Republic may let you bring your own device if it falls on its list of compatible phones. You may also by a new Android device from them when starting a new account.

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Simple Mobile

Simple Mobile lives up to its name by offering easy-to-understand, no-contract wireless plans that let you bring your own phone and keep your old phone number. Simple Mobile uses T-Mobile’s nationwide network, so any T-Mobile compatible phone or unlocked GSM device that operates in 850 and 1900 MHz bands should work fine.

You buy your access to the network in advance which provides you with unlimited talk and text for as low as $25. From there, Simple Mobile offers reasonably priced plans which include a set monthly allotment of 4G LTE data and unlimited data at 2G speeds after that. Then there’s the “Truly Unlimited” plan, which offers unlimited 4G LTE speed data for only $60 a month. All unlimited plans now come with unlimited international calling to Mexico, Canada, China and India, along with 60 other countries around the world.

You must re-up with Simple Mobile after every cycle, or you can save some money and sign up to auto-renew your plan on select plans.

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SpeedTalk Mobile

SpeedTalk Mobile offers prepaid, no-contract mobile plans marketed towards seniors that don’t use their phones too often, with pricing that starts as low $5 a month. It supports any unlocked T-Mobile, AT&T, or GSM phone and with SpeedTalk Mobile, you only ever pay for the services you use. It offers three different types of plans: Special Plans with set amounts of talk/text/data over 30 days, Marvel Plans which include the option to rollover your unused balance to the next cycle if you opt to refill, and Pay As You Go plans.

So, for instance, if you choose to only pay $5 at the start of the month, which works out to 250 minutes, or 250 texts, or 250MB of data for 30 days. That translates to $.02 per minute, text, and MB of data.

This rate is offered across the board, so if you think you’ll need more simply spend more on your plan. If you’ve been thinking of helping your parent or grandparent get a smartphone, but don’t want them to be overcharged for features they won’t use, SpeedTalk Mobile might be able to help.

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Straight Talk

Straight Talk is owned by TracFone and is that cell phone section sold at Walmart. It features the latest phones and lets you bring your own T-Mobile device — or really any device since it uses all four of the big networks for coverage.

Plans start at $30/month for 1500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 100MB of data. $45/month gets you 5GB of 4G LTE and unlimited talk and text, as well as unlimited 2G data.

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TelCel América

TelCel is a Mexican wireless telecommunications company that offers affordable plans that work in the U.S.A. and Mexico.

Plans start as low as $25 a month for call and text only, but your best deal is the $60 a month deal that comes with unlimited 4G LTE data. All plans come with unlimited calls and text messages. It also offer a $20 travel plan that gives you 2GB of data over a 7-day period.

If you want to bring your own device to TelCel you can buy a SIM card as long as your phone is compatible with its network. This carrier is especially convenient for anyone who frequently visits Mexico.

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Tempo Telecom

Tempo Telecom offers no-contract plans with no credit checks or hidden fees. All plans include talk, text and data, albeit at different tiers to accommodate all budgets.

Monthly pre-paid plans start as low as $9.95 a month for 50 minutes which are spent on calls, texts and data collectively. Top-ups are available throughout the month as needed, and all of Tempo’s plans carry over your unused minutes to the next month. Pay-As-You-Go plans are even more flexible, letting you top up your phone with minutes as you need them. If you don’t want to worry about counting minutes and texts, unlimited plans are available with set data limits of 250MB, 1GB, and 2.5GB.

Tempo sells a range of Blu Android devices, but you should also have the option to bring your own T-Mobile device to Tempo Telecom.

Find a dealer near you for more information.

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The People’s Operator USA

The People’s Operator USA (TPO) separates itself from other alternative carriers by donating a portion of your monthly bill to a cause of your choice.

Plans run as low as $10 a month (with autopay enabled) with plans $26 a month and over including unlimited talk and text. Whichever plan you choose, TPO will send 10% of your bill to your choice of over 30 different charity causes including ASPCA, American Lung Association, and Habitat for Humanity to name a few.

TPO uses a combination of Sprint and T-Mobile, so check to see if TPO service is available in your area.

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Ting

Ting says it offer mobile that makes sense, so it only wants you to pay for the stuff that you used. With pretty affordable rates for talk, text, and data, you’ll be sure that are entirely customizable to your needs without locking you into a contract.

Mostly use data and rarely make calls? Create a data-heavy plan that works for you. Lines start at $6 with affordable options for adding monthly minutes, texts and data allotments. Voicemail, picture and video messaging, 3-way calling, caller ID, tethering, hotspot and more are included for no additional fee. You can have as many devices on your account, which all use the same pool of shared talk time, texts and data.

Ting knows your phone usage changes from month to month, so it tallies up your usage at the end of the month and only charge you for what you used. If transparent pricing and billing is what you crave, Ting might be right for you.

Ting allows you to bring your own device. Check your phone’s compatibility here.

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TracFone

TracFone has been around since 1996 and owns multiple MVNOs, which it operates on various networks.

Its cheapest data plan with a gig or more is $17.50/month for 1GB of 4G LTE, 750 minutes, and 1000 text, BUT you have to sign up for a 60-day term, so that 1GB has to last you 2 months. An extra gig of data is $10, which expires at the end of your term.

TracFone is perfect for folks who constantly travel to the U.S. and don’t want to buy a local SIM or pay outrageous roaming fees.

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Ultra Mobile

Ultra Mobile is a great MVNO option for those who value staying connected with friends or family overseas. All of Ultra Mobile’s plans includes unlimited talk to international destinations, along with unlimited international texting. Plans start as low as $19, with unlimited data included on all plans $29 and over. You have the option to prepay for your plan on a monthly basis, or pay for multiple months in advance and save even more.

Cell phones from nearly every manufacturer will work on the Ultra Mobile network as long as they are GSM-compatible and use a SIM card, which includes any unlocked T-Mobile phones you may have. To get started, you can find an Ultra Mobile store near you or buy your SIM card and plan online.

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Univision Mobile

Univision Mobile is another carrier that offers deals specifically marketed to those who frequently call family back home in Mexico or other countries in Central America. All plans include unlimited global texting as well as unlimited calling to landlines in up to 14 international destinations, and start as low as $19 a month.

Univision Mobile lets you bring your own phone from nearly any manufacturer as long as they are GSM compatible and use a SIM card. That includes any unlocked T-Mobile phones you may have. If keeping in touch with friends and family in Mexico or elsewhere is most important to you, Univision Mobile is the MVNO for you.

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US Mobile

US Mobile believes mobile providers should offer plans that are simple and offer great value. As such, you’re able to build your own plan based on your specific usage needs. Barely use your phone to talk? Minutes start at just $3 for 100 minutes. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to be in full control of their mobile plan.

US Mobile also cares about your privacy, so all customers get a free VPN with 100GB of monthly bandwidth. It’s also partnered with a number of universities and colleges to not only offer student discounts, but also sell SIM cards at select student services offices. It says that any unlocked device you own should work on its network, but that will especially be true for any unlocked T-Mobile phones you plan to use. You’re able to add up to 10 lines to your mobile account to cover your entire family, with the option to top up your account with more minutes, texts or data as you need.

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Walmart Family Mobile

If you’ve shopped at Walmart recently, you will have noticed that it, too, offers its own mobile plans using T-Mobile’s network. Its plans start at $24.88 a month for unlimited talk and text, and just $5 extra to get unlimited talk, text, and data with 1GB of 4G LTE data. The best value is the Plus plan, which offers unlimited talk, text, and data with up to 10GB of 4G LTE data and also a free movie rental every month from VUDU, Walmart’s on-demand video service.

As the name implies, Walmart Family Mobile offers great plans targeted at families looking to save on their wireless bills. You save $5 per month for every additional line added to your plan up to five lines.

Walmart has phones for sale, but you can also buy a SIM card kit for $25 and bring your own compatible, unlocked device — any T-Mobile phone should work just fine.

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ZingPCS

Zing PCS or Zing wireless is an MVNO with decent prices and a website that looks like it was made in 1999. Data plans start at $28.99/month for 1GB of 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text, unlimited international text (picture and video messaging not included), and unlimited 2G data.

Zing also supports and provides service for Lifeline, the FCC program that helps make communication services more affordable to low-income individuals and families.

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ZIP SIM

ZIP SIM offers short-term contracts that are targeted at travellers in the USA. All plans include unlimited nationwide U.S. calling, unlimited global texting while you’re in the U.S., along with unthrottled 4G LTE and hotspot tethering included at no additional cost.

Talk, Text and Data plans start at $25 for seven days of service and max out at 30 days of service for $55. There are also data-only plans available that are valid for 14 to 30 days and use T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE network.

ZIP SIM is a great option not only for international travellers visiting the U.S. looking for a hassle-free way to use their own phone on their travels, but also for international corporations sending employees to the States for business, or for Americans looking for a backup phone for emergency situations. Activating your phone is as simple as inserting your ZIP SIM card and powering up your phone. Your SIM will activate instantly and automatically, and then text you your new U.S. phone number. Since this service is typically used by International travellers who might not know if their phone is compatible with T-Mobile’s network, ZIP SIM recommends using WillMyPhoneWork.net to determine whether your device supports the right frequency bands.

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Alternative carriers (MVNOS)

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  • What is an alternative mobile carrier?
  • What are the advantages of going with an alternative carrier?
  • How to make sure your phone works on a prepaid alternative carrier
  • 8 Important Considerations When Switching To An MVNO
  • These are the cheapest data plans you can buy in the U.S.
  • Mint SIM vs. Cricket Wireless: Which is better for you?

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3
May

7 best workout headphones you can buy today


When looking for earphones dedicated for sports, priorities are slightly different to when you’re searching out the best earphones for casual listening. You could argue that properties like being comfortable, secure fitting and water resistant are more important than whether or not their sound is an audiophile’s dream. 

  • 7 of the best in-ear headphones: Wired, wireless and wire-free
  • Best Bluetooth headphones 2017: 10 of the best on/over-ears for wireless listening

With that said, that means the best earphones for sports are the ones that will stay in your ears, are lightweight and are comfortable to wear when you’re a sweaty mess pounding your feet against tarmac. It also helps a lot if there’s plenty of bass pumping to keep you driving on. 

Pocket-lint

Beats Powerbeats 3 Wireless

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

If you’re an iPhone user, you won’t find anything more convenient than the Powerbeats 3 wireless in-ear headphones. Like the AirPods, they have the W1 chip, which means you can pair them to your phone just by switching them on, then tapping “connect” on the popup window that appears on your phone’s screen.

The earhooks help them fit comfortably, and ensure they won’t fall out of your ears whether you’re circuit training or running. What’s more, they’re water, sweat and weather resistant and have great bassy sound. Add all that to the fact that they can last up to 12 hours of use before needing to charge, and it’s a great all-round pair of sports headphones.

Read the full review: Powerbeats 3 Wireless review

Pocket-lint

Jaybird X3

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The Jaybird X3 is one of the easiest pairs of earphones to recommend for sports use. There’s no ear hook, but the in-ear fins come in different sizes, and offer a much less cumbersome fit that’s just as secure. What’s more, they ship with multiple different size/material tips and are very lightweight and durable.  As a bonus, you can attach the fins in two ways to allow you to wear them with the cable feeding over or under your ear, with an adjuster to make it as snug as you like. 

As for audio, this again is versatile thanks to the superb bespoke app which lets you create your own sound profiles or use those shared by other users in the Jaybird community. It lacks some of the clarity and ring of higher-end earphones, but they’re bassy, loud and great fun. They only cost £110 and offer eight hours of battery life too, which is a major plus point. 

Read the full review: Jaybird X3 review

Pocket-lint

Bose SoundSport Pulse

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Bose is – first and foremost – known for its quality audio. It’s a brand synonymous with amazing sound. It just so happens, however, that it also knows how to make a decent pair of sports headphones. The Soundsport Pulse don’t just sound great, they fit nicely and stay securely in your ears. 

As the name suggests, they can also measure your pulse thanks to a built in heart rate monitor. This can be used with apps like Strava, MapMyRun, Runkeeper and others to log your heart rate as you run you best 10k. Thanks to their wide, tapered cone-shaped eartip, they don’t feel like they’re invading your ear canals either. They form a seal without squeezing all the air from your head. You will have to pony up nearly £200 if you want them though. 

Read the full review: Bose SoundSport Pulse review

Pocket-lint

Sony XB80BS Extra Bass

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The earhooks might be a little chunky, but the XB80BS from Sony are among the best sports earphones we’ve tested so far. Using the adjuster on the cable, the fit can be really snug and secure, meaning they stay in your ears really well during all kinds of workouts. 

As the name suggests, there’s lots of bass to go around, Sony’s usual attention to good overall quality on show. As you’d expect, they’re also resistant to sweat and rain. In fact, they’re designed to be rinsed off after every use to keep them clean. What’s more, they’re only £110 and can last seven hours on a full charge. 

Pocket-lint

New Balance PaceIQ

Buy from from New Balance or Amazon.com

New Balance partnered with Jabra to create the Pace IQ earphones, and you can tell. The Bluetooth connection is rock solid and reliable. What’s more, they pair with the company’s Run IQ watch to offer real time feedback while the watch is tracking your run.

The Pace IQ earphones are lightweight, comfortable and secure. As a bonus, they’re also sweat and weather resistant to military standards and only need to be plugged into a charger for 15 minutes to get an hour’s worth of battery juice. Sadly, however, they offer less than half the battery of their lookalike Powerbeats. On the plus side, they only cost £100, which is much cheaper than the Beats. 

Pocket-lint

Jabra Elite Sport

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

On this list, the Jabra Elite Sport are a little unique, in that they have no wires at all. It’s a completely tether-free set of earphones, meaning you have two independent earbuds. And they work really well. 

While they’re perhaps not as small or comfortable to wear as some of the others, they are very secure and fit very snugly. Perhaps too snug for some. Still, the connection didn’t drop once in our testing and the sound was powerful and immersive. 

At £229, they’re the most expensive earphones on the list, but that’s purely because the technology is more advanced. Not only are they completely wire-free, they feature a heart rate sensor and motion sensors to measure your performance as you run. 

Read the full review: Jabra Elite Sport review

Pocket-lint

JBL Reflect Aware

Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

As a sort-of wildcard: if you don’t want Bluetooth and would rather stick with a wired connection, JBL make a great pair of sports earphones. They’re equipped with a Lightning connector for iPhones and deliver great audio. 

What we loved most about the JBL earphones is just how comfortable they were to wear. Like the Jaybirds, they have in-ear fins to keep them in your ears. These ones happen to be really soft and easy to wear, while the tips are wide cone-shaped ones, similar to the Bose. 

You never have to worry about battery life, because it doesn’t have a built-in battery, and they even feature some active noise cancelling technology (although it doesn’t work that well). They are pretty expensive at £169, but they are very good wired sports earphones for iPhone users. 

Read the full review: JBL Reflect Aware review

3
May

Loewe Bild 9 is £6,990 of pure TV beauty


If you’re ready to replace your current TV and only the prettiest, most expensive screens will make their way onto your shopping list, there are only a few brands you need turn to. One would be Bang & Olufsen, and other would be Loewe. The German TV manufacturer is known for its striking, gorgeous designs and the Bild 9 is the latest testament to that fact.

  • Best 4K TVs: Ultra HD televisions to buy in 2017

Its minimalist design that takes its fair share of inspiration from the Bauhaus movement of the 1920s, is the work of German-born designer Bodo Sperlein. The Bild 9 can be placed in any one of three positions: standing, wall-mounted or table-mounted. Whichever position you choose, the Bild 9 could be seen as floating, and the fact all cables are hidden within the frame only add to the illusion.

But even though the design may be inspired by yesteryear, everything else about the Bild 9 is as up-to-date as you could imagine. Taking centre stage is either a 55-inch or 65-inch 4K HDR OLED panel, that supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats, as well as Hybrid Log Gamma. All of which means no matter what content you throw at the Bild 9, it will be able to handle it.

Loewe

Sound should be good too, thanks to a 120 Watt integrated soundbar that only appears when you turn the TV on and scurries off out of sight when you turn it off. To really enhance the sound, Loewe will release Klang 9 speakers in August this year for £4,990, that will match the styling and colour finishes of the Bild 9.

  • What is Dolby Vision? Dolby’s very own HDR TV tech explained 
  • What is Hybrid Log Gamma and why should you care?
  • What is HDR, what TVs and devices support HDR, and what HDR content can I watch?

As with some other Loewe TVs, the Bild 9 has a 1TB hard drive built-in, meaning you can record content straight to the TV without the need for a separate box. Although should you want to hook your own kit up, you’re generously given four HDMI inputs and three USB.

Loewe

The Loewe Bild 9 is available now in gold or graphite colour finishes for £6,990 for the 55-inch, or £8,990 for the 65-inch.

3
May

OnePlus 5 confirmed following official teaser from CEO


OnePlus’ CEO Pete Lau has posted a picture on his Chinese Weibo account that confirms a new OnePlus smartphone is on the way. The image shows cartoon workers putting together a phone, and it’s accompanied by OnePlus’ usual hashtag of Never Settle.

  • OnePlus 4/OnePlus 5: What’s the story so far?

What the official teaser doesn’t give away is the name of the phone. Logic would suggest it will be called the OnePlus 4, following the OnePlus 3T released in 2016. However the number 4 is considered unlucky in China, so it’s thought the next phone will go straight to OnePlus 5.

The official teaser also doesn’t give away any specifications or features, but a recently leaked render of the phone, and what are thought to be official shots from the camera, confirm a dual rear camera setup. Having a dual rear camera will help the OnePlus 4 / 5 to really compete with the very best flagships that 2017 has offered us so far.

The render of the phone also showed no obvious rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, which suggests it will be on the front. Some reports are claiming it will be embedded into the screen, although we’ll have to wait and see whether this rumour comes to fruition.

  • OnePlus 5 confirmed to have dual rear camera, possible embedded fingerprint sensor
  • OnePlus’ next flagship killer might have a killer camera, leak suggests

Finally, even though the teaser is official and lets us know a new phone is on the way, it doesn’t say when we can expect to see it. Previous OnePlus phones have been launched in June, so that’s our best guess right now.

3
May

The Morning After: Wednesday, May 3rd 2017


Microsoft has announced a new laptop, in addition new lighter OS aimed at education (and Chrome OS), all in the middle of the week. YouTube also got a makeover, and we take a look at the most notable VR submissions at this year’s Tribeca festival.

There aren’t any special hinges or kickstands this time.
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop is built to beat Apple’s MacBooks

newssurfacelap640.jpg

Microsoft has always tried to do something different with its hardware. The Surface and Surface Pro helped popularize the idea of hybrid laptops that could also be used as tablets. The Surface Book took that idea a step further with a bigger screen, a unique hinge and more powerful hardware. But with the Surface Laptop, it’s almost as if Microsoft is going back to basics. It’s basically a straightforward notebook, albeit one with the Microsoft’s slick Surface aesthetic. Most importantly, it’s the flagship device for Windows 10 S, Microsoft’s new streamlined OS targeted at the education market. Similar to ChromeOS, it’s meant mainly for web apps and software from the Microsoft Store, with an emphasis on security and battery life. The Surface Laptop launches on June 15th starting at $999 for the Core i5 model.

Eye-catching mouse design is back.
Microsoft’s lie-flat Surface Arc mouse is a new take on an old formula

newsarcmouse640.jpg

The Surface Arc Mouse is an evolution of the well-established Arc Touch Mouse . While the new Bluetooth peripheral still has that eye-catching, travel-friendly design that snaps flat for stowing in your bag, but there are no distinct left and right buttons, or even a scroll strip. Instead, a touch-sensitive button handles all of that.

It trades app support in the name of security and performance.
Microsoft takes on Chrome OS with Windows 10 S

news10s640.jpg

Microsoft has already taken some potshots at Google’s Chromebooks in the past — Windows 8.1 with Bing, anyone? Now, though, it’s going for the jugular. The newly introduced Windows 10 S (not Cloud like the rumors suggested) is a stripped-back, education-oriented version of the operating system that gives up some app support in the name of simplicity and performance. You can only run Windows Store apps (including Office 365 apps, which are coming soon), but that’s the point — schools don’t have to worry about the vulnerabilities that come with running any old Windows app. All in time for a big Minecraft Education Edition upgrade.

And we’re finally getting a “dark mode.”
YouTube’s latest redesign puts added focus on videos

newsyoutube640.jpg

Approximately 400 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Soon, its desktop website will be getting a makeover to make combing through all those cute cat clips a bit easier. Google is refreshing the look of its desktop site by applying its material design aesthetic to the site, basically flattening the UI. “We want to make content the star,” Fred Gilbert, Head of User Experience at YouTube, said during a recent interview. “Everything else should recede from that.”

But the Mac is up again!
iPhone sales continue their slow and steady slide

newsiphone640.jpg

Apple couldn’t quite keep iPhone sales growing for the second quarter in a row. The company sold 50.8 million iPhones in the last quarter, down a scant one percent from the 51.2 million it sold a year ago. It’s worth remembering that last year marked the first quarter where iPhone sales didn’t grow year-over-year, so this decline isn’t exactly a surprise. Meanwhile, in the “other products” business, which includes the Apple Watch and Apple TV, revenue jumped a whopping 31 percent. Perhaps Apple’s wearable is doing better than people give it credit for. Indeed, Cook said on Apple’s earnings call that Watch sales nearly doubled year-over-year in the last quarter.

Chet Faliszek, who also worked on Steam VR, has left.
Valve has no more ‘Half-Life’ writers left

newshalflife640.jpg

Chet Faliszek and Erik Wolpaw, co-writers on Half-Life 2: Episode One and Episode Two, stuck around after Half-Life writing lead Marc Laidlaw’s departure from Valve last year. But not for long. Wolpaw departed Valve in February, and Faliszek has now also left the company. Faliszek was also key part of Valve’s push into virtual reality, from the early days of secret testing at the company’s Bellevue headquarters through to the public launch of the HTC Vive.

The Aura H2O can survive your next beach trip.
Kobo’s latest waterproof e-reader is sized for poolside reading

newskobo640.jpg

Kobo’s recent Aura One e-reader was potentially the dream device for anyone who likes to read in the bath or at the beach, but it had some catches. It was big, with a 7.8-inch screen, and came with a $229 price tag. Enter the just-introduced Aura H2O — just as waterproof, but shrunken down to a 6.8-inch touchscreen, while an accompanying tinier $180 price.

But wait, there’s more…

  • Republican Senators outline anti-net neutrality legislation
  • T-Mobile plans to launch a national 5G network by 2020
  • VR is telling deeper, more important stories
3
May

How the Digital Economy Act will come between you and porn


As we approach the snap general election on June 8th, the UK government has had to get through as much important business as possible before Parliament shut down earlier today in preparation for the vote. Last week, MPs and Lords working on the Digital Economy Bill opted to forego much of the usual “ping pong” process of debating amendments and wording amongst themselves in order to get the thing passed. That “good enough” approach meant the bill became law last Thursday after receiving immediate Royal Assent. The Digital Economy Act introduces a new requirement for porn sites to verify the age of visitors, rules regarding the capping of mobile phone bills and it should help stop ticket touts from bulk-buying online. But there’s a lot more to it, so here’s everything you need to know.

Mandatory age checks on porn sites

Close up of a computer keyboard with all of the keys spelling out SEX

One of the most headline-grabbing facets of the Digital Economy Act is a new obligation for websites hosting pornographic and similar adult content to verify the age of visitors. The government has been talking about doing this for some time now in an effort to stop under-18s from easily accessing inappropriate material. There are some relatively serious consequences for sites that don’t play by the rules, too.

The “age-verification regulator” — which hasn’t been named yet, though the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is considered the top contender — will have the power to fine websites up to £250,000, or up to 5 percent of their turnover. The arbiter will also be able to order ISPs to block websites that fail to comply, and tell other providers that, for example, process payments or facilitate advertising on these sites to withdraw their services, effectively starving the domains of revenue.

There’s one slight issue with age gates in that we’re still no clearer on how they are to be implemented. Proving age using credit card details, the electoral roll and pay-monthly mobile phone contracts have all been suggested, but the government has admitted that forcing you to expose your identity might be a step too far. And so, it’ll likely be some time before this new law can be enforced as the government and newly appointed regulator decide on the best and least intrusive way for porn sites to verify age.

10 Mbps broadband for everyone

The Digital Economy Act introduces a new Universal Service Obligation (USO) that effectively makes at least a 10 Mbps broadband connection a legal right. It’s intended to compliment the ongoing Broadband Delivery UK initiative, a government-subsidised push to offer 97 percent of homes and businesses “superfast” connections of at least 24 Mbps by 2020.

The USO ensures the final 3 percent aren’t neglected. By 2020, those in underserved areas — often rural locations where infrastructure is aging or nonexistant — will have the right to request at least a 10 Mbps connection by law. That part’s important, because it doesn’t mean providers will be obligated to connect every remote cottage by default, but deliver upon request.

As with several provisions in the act, how exactly the USO will be achieved hasn’t been firmed up yet. Would people or communities in the hardest-to-reach areas have to help fund the rollout above a reasonable cost to the provider? How do you ensure the monthly bills will be affordable for all after that? Could satellite connections be viable for getting the last outliers online? There are a few years left to iron out the finer details, and Ofcom has analysed most of the important questions already in a lengthy report.

At a relatively late stage in the game, Lords suggested an amendment to the bill that raised the minimum speed to 30 Mbps. MPs thought this would place too much of technical burden on ISPs and would generally be impractical, so the revision was abandoned. Ofcom will be able to revisit the USO in the future, though, and set minimum speeds above what’s mandated by the act.

Bill caps for mobile contracts a must

Man angry with his bills

A few mobile networks already offer some form of contract cap or another, stopping subscribers from incurring any extra charges on top of a specified monthly spend. Written into the Digital Economy Bill is a requirement that providers have to offer customers this facility when they enter into a new pay-monthly contract, and give them an easy way to amend or remove the cap for the duration of the agreement.

Carriers are also expected to give subscribers reasonable notice when they’re approaching their monthly limit so they can adjust their usage or choose to go beyond their cap that month. If something goes wrong and customers continue to receive service after they’ve hit their cap, then the carrier is expected to pick up the rest of the bill. As you might expect, Ofcom will be on the hook for making sure mobile networks adhere to the rules, and we imagine some secondary regulation will be published in due course — creating a standard for how caps should work, giving providers a deadline to introduce them, that sort of thing.

If this sounds a little familiar, it’s not to be confused with the £100 “liability” cap brought in a few years ago. This was a voluntary agreement signed by the UK’s major carriers that means customers are only expected to pay £100 if their phone is lost or stolen and subsequently used to run up a huge bill.

Tougher sentences for pirates

Following through on an old promise, the government has introduced stricter sentences for digital pirates. Via an amendment to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the maximum jail term for piracy has been increased from two to ten years. This has been somewhat divisive since it was first proposed, as opponents believe the revised wording could be used to criminalise the average Joe who might not even be aware the stream they’re watching is impacting the copyright holder.

Even those that knowingly torrent the latest episode of their favourite show — the kind of pirate the “educational” notices sent by ISPs under the relatively new Voluntary Copyright Alert Programme are supposed to deter — aren’t at risk, apparently. The government insists the longer potential jail term is targeted at the root of the problem: The pirates that leak and distribute copyright-infringing material the general public subsequently consume.

During the passage of the bill, MPs suggested an amendment that would allow the state to fine search engines for failing to hide or demote links to pirate media in search results. This clause ended up not making the cut and so is not included in the act, but earlier this year Google and Microsoft agreed to a new voluntary code of practice with various creative bodies, committing to further tackle the problem.

Getting a front-row seat

Spectators at rock concert.

The government is well aware that getting tickets to popular music, sport and other events can be a bane for consumers, who regularly end up paying a premium through a resale site. Primary sellers typically impose restrictions on how many tickets one person can buy to give everyone a fair chance of getting one at face-value, but tout bots exist that can circumvent these caps. Scalpers employ these to hoover up tickets so they can sell them at marked-up prices on resale sites.

The Digital Economy Act sets the stage for later regulation to make the use of these computerised tools a criminal offence, punishable by fine. The government has already said that it also expects sellers and resellers to help the cause by building more abuse-resistant systems. In a similar vein, the act introduces new consumer rights regarding ticket information. Ticket outlets must now ensure they are providing buyers with booking or ticket references that allow them to see exactly what seat or area within the venue they are forking out for, as well as inform them of any conditions attached to a resale ticket.

Catching up with TVCatchup

Watch Yourself

Section 73 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 states that public service broadcasters (PSBs) like the BBC, ITV et al aren’t allowed to charge retransmission fees. This was intended to promote the retransmission of analogue TV signals, pushing them into underserved areas, way before satellite, cable and streaming TV services became ubiquitous. The Digital Economy Act repeals section 73, meaning PSBs are now entitled to charge retransmission fees.

This poses a particular problem for services like TVCatchup and FilmOn, which have been exploiting this retransmission loophole. They stream PSB channels with minimal overheads, and profit from running pre-rolls promos and framing their players in banner ads and the like. PSBs are now able to strike retransmission deals with these services, and have a legal argument in court if they can’t reach an agreement. ITV, on behalf of itself and other PSBs, has been fighting for streaming retransmission to be classified as copyright infringement for over five years now, but section 73 has shut down all its efforts to date.

This shouldn’t directly affect the long-standing status quo between PSBs and pay-TV providers like Virgin Media and Sky. The government has said it will step in if PSBs start pushing these providers for retransmission fees, as they are compensated in other ways, with favourable spectrum licence arrangements and prominence in pay-TV EPGs — that’s why you always see the flagship terrestrial channels at the top of the guides. However, PSBs believe this needs to be revisited on the basis the EPG has become less relevant.

At one point, the Digital Economy Act included clauses that would redefine prominence (or rather, the term EPG), extending the concept to all parts of a pay-TV platform’s UI. This would’ve meant that in the “My Q” menu on Sky Q boxes, which suggests things to watch, the provider would be obligated to pepper the recommendations with plenty of content from PSBs.

The act was passed with a significantly watered-down version of this, though. Instead of directly addressing the issue, it formally tasks Ofcom with investigating how prominence can be ensured as pay-TV providers move to greater serve on-demand viewing habits. Ofcom doesn’t actually have to report on this until 2020, but Lords (who backed the stronger amendment) hope it will see this as a priority and regulate appropriately much sooner.

Sharing data between government departments

woman and man at home typing on laptop computer

A significant slice of the Digital Economy Act is dedicated to what’s called “Digital Government,” which is basically a broad set of laws that enable the sharing of your personal information between government departments. These new powers, as the government spins it, will allow for better public services to be delivered online, and generally grease the wheels of administration. It means the government can build a database of “civil registration information,” for instance, which can include key details so you never have to dig out your paper birth certificate again.

Data can be shared for many reasons, including for research and statistical purposes, as well as detecting fraud against the state — say, if someone is claiming disability benefits but intel held by another department or organisation shows they are cheating the system (our example, not the government’s). This sweeping set of provisions has been heavily debated and is undeniably contentious, as it’s been passed somewhat prematurely before Parliament shut down.

How data sharing will work in practice is still not fully clear. That’s because while the Digital Economy Act introduces a legal framework, the Codes of Practice that detail exactly how the powers are to be used and what safeguards need to be in place are currently in draft, unapproved form. Will the public have any say in what data about them is stored and shared? Are the powers even compatible with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into force next May? These are just a few of many, many questions that still need answers, despite the new data-sharing regime effectively being lawful already.

We’ll no doubt be hearing a lot more about this part of the Digital Economy Act. Not just because formal guidance is needed to ensure data sharing actually improves efficiency and public services, but to ensure data is adequately protected. As The Register notes, the National Audit Office reported last year that between 2014 and 2015, 9,000 personal data breaches occurred across the 17 largest government departments.

Miscellany

Media stock

We’ve covered all the major parts of the Digital Economy Bill above, but there a number of smaller things you may also find interesting. The act writes into law Ofcom’s new role as external regulator of the BBC, and gives it the power to force the telecoms industry to make switching providers easier for consumers. This legitimises the new system Ofcom brought in a few years ago, whereby the broadband provider you want to move to takes care of everything, including cancelling your current contract. Ofcom is also working on a similar system for switching between mobile carriers, and recently announced it’s developing an automatic compensation scheme for poor broadband service, both provided for in the act.

Ofcom has a new power to ensure all PSBs are broadcasting enough UK-made kid’s programmes as a part of their licence; and the government itself can draw up regulations for on-demand providers to guarantee their content is accessible. This means obligations to add subtitles, sign language and audio descriptions to catchup TV. The router-level broadband filters the government forced major ISPs to introduce several years ago are enshrined in the act, and the Information Commissioner has also been tasked with penning new guidelines that will keep direct marketers (spam emailers and cold callers) in check.

There are countless more provisions in the act not particularly relevant to your average Brit. Ofcom now has the power to revoke radio licences if stations are deemed to be “inciting crime or disorder,” for instance, and the courts can now order carriers to disconnect a drug dealer’s phone if they are known to be using it to organise, er, transactions with clients.

[Inline image credits (in order): Alamy, Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images, TeoLazarev via Getty Images, Amblin Entertainment/TriStar Pictures, Getty Images/Flickr RF, Keystone via Getty Images, BernardaSv via Getty Images, PA Archive/PA Images]

Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK Parliament (1), (2)

3
May

Peugeot is ready to get its self-driving cars on the road


Like nearly all of the other major car makers, Peugeot believes the next generation of cars will be autonomous. We’ve already seen the Instinct Concept — which imagines a future where vehicles blend self-driving tech, home automation and cloud connectivity to deliver the best riding experience — but to get there, the company needs to do the hard miles. Thanks to a partnership with MIT spin-off nuTonomy, the French carmaker has begun doing just that with the launch of a new self-driving pilot in Singapore.

Under the agreement, nuTonomy’s self-driving software and “specialized sensors” will be installed in customized Peugeot 3008s over the course of this summer and then unleashed on Singapore’s streets in September. Should it be a success, both companies will consider expanding the pilot to more cities, allowing them to better understand how the vehicles behave in urban environments and assess how drivers interact with the automated systems.

The location of the trial makes sense for nuTonomy as it’s been testing its self-driving systems in specially-equipped Mitsubishi i-MiEV or Renault Zoe electric taxis in the city since August 2016. However, the company also got the green light to navigate the streets of Boston soon after, allowing it to join Toyota, Audi and local startup Optimus Ride in public testing across Massachusetts.

Last month, BMW announced it is working with Intel and Mobileye to test 40 modified BMW 7 Series sedans across US and European streets. Mercedes owner Daimler also set aside its own self-driving platform and teamed up with automotive supplier Bosch to develop a fully autonomous “level 5” taxi by the beginning of the next decade. It won’t be a matter of who is first, but whose self-driving package is the best.

Via: Reuters

3
May

147 teams will compete for $5 million in the IBM Watson AI XPrize


The XPrize program is no stranger to moon shots. From capturing carbon to cleaning water — even literal trips to the moon and Star Trek-style tricorders — the contest seeks the boldest solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges. That tradition continues in the company’s latest competition, the IBM Watson AI XPrize, in which 147 teams from 22 countries will compete for a $5 million purse over the next four years.

The AI competition will be the first such XPrize that is “open” in that teams will be free to solve any issue they want. There will be a number of “domains” (read: themes) that they can choose from including Health and Wellness, Civil Society, Space and Exploration or Energy and Resources, but so long as the competitors solve their problems using AI, their projects can straddle any or all of these domains.

The 147 teams already submitted their testing and development plans back on March 1st, 2017. They now have until the start of September to provide evidence that their initial plans will actually work. From there an independent panel of experts will review each team’s proposals and announce which of them will be moving on to the next round in January 2018. Teams will be further thinned during additional rounds in 2018 and 2019 before the three finalists present their work at the TED 2020 conference and their projects are voted on by both the in-house audience and those following along online.

Whoever wins will go home with $3 million in prize money, the second place finisher gets a cool million and third place will have earned themselves $500,000. The rest of the $5 million purse will be doled out as $500k “Milestone” prizes for ten teams between 2018 and 2019.

3
May

Apple Pay Launches for HSBC Australia and 20+ U.S. Banks


HSBC has launched Apple Pay support for customers in Australia for the first time, enabling any Visa and MasterCard branded credit card issued by the bank to be added to Apple’s mobile wallet.

HSBC said the majority of its customers’ credit card payments are already contactless and it expects Apple Pay will be quickly embraced as part of the wider shift towards tap-and-go payments.

“Our customers have told us they want to be able to use Apple Pay in Australia, and we’re proud to be able to make this service available to them,” said Graham Heunis, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Australia. “HSBC has introduced Apple Pay in five other markets and we’re looking forward to another successful launch here.”

The bank has set up a new Apple Pay web page on its site to guide users through the steps needed to add a credit or debit card into the Wallet app on iPhone and iPad.

HSBC joins a growing number of banks in Australia which support Apple Pay, including American Express, ANZ and Macquarie. However, several major issuers such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, NAB, and Bendigo and Adelaide have resisted supporting the payment system during their failed attempts to collectively negotiate with Apple over gaining access to the NFC chip in iPhones.

In addition to the HSBC Australia launch, over 20 U.S. banks also gained official Apple Pay support on Tuesday. Apple has updated its web page of participating banks, which include the following:

• 1st Constitution Bank
• Alerus Financial N.A.
• Bank of Cashton
• Bank of New Mexico
• BankStar Financial
• Central National Bank & TrustCompany
• Chevron Federal Credit Union
• Citizens Community Bank
• Connexus Credit Union
• DATCU
• Department of CommerceFederal Credit Union
• First Bank Blue Earth
• First National Bank of Pana
• First US Community CreditUnion
• Legacy Bank
• Manasquan Bank
• Market USA Federal CreditUnion
• Midstates Bank N.A.
• Security State Bank ofHibbing
• Skyward Credit Union
• The Bank of Bennington
• Two River Community Bank

The Apple Pay service is available on iPhone 6 and later, iPhone SE, Apple Watch, the late 2016 MacBook Pro, and iPad mini 3 or later within apps and Safari. Macs introduced in 2012 and later can also be used, but checkout must be confirmed through an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone or Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
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3
May

Apple Offering Free Redeem Codes for Hit Game ‘Chameleon Run’


Apple has made highly rated autorunner game Chameleon Run a free download for anyone who uses the Apple Store app.

The fast-paced, colorful runner offers some unique jump mechanics amid the stylish graphics. The aim of each level is to reach the end of the course without touching a platform that has a different color to the main character. To do this, players must jump and switch between pink and yellow as they run.

Each level has a fixed ending with three different objectives to complete. The first two objectives unlock lightning speed bursts and the third one unlocks the hoverboard.

With all three objectives unlocked, the levels can be finished much faster. Advanced players can also try to switch color as late as possible to gain higher speeds and compete against others in the leaderboards.


To get hold of the game, download and open up the Apple Store app, scroll down the Discover screen to where it says “Exclusively for you”, and then tap the Chameleon Run panel. On the next screen, tap the blue button that says “Download now for free” and Apple will provide a code for users to redeem in App Store.

The free game offer through the Apple Store app expires on June 15, 2017.
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