All posts tagged: Phones

Phoebe Bridgers Banned Phones (and Note-Taking) at Her MSG Show. Here’s Everything We Can Remember

Phoebe Bridgers Banned Phones (and Note-Taking) at Her MSG Show. Here’s Everything We Can Remember

Published by Jenni Sidey

You cannot bring a phone into the surprise Phoebe Bridgers show on June 4 at Madison Square Garden. You cannot bring digital recorders, cameras, smart watches, or even pencil and paper. Your iPhone and AirPods must be turned off and sealed in a thick black Yondr pouch by a cheerful professional. If you are writing about the show for a magazine, you are not permitted to transcribe lyrics from the new songs Bridgers plays. Offenders will be unceremoniously removed by security. These conditions make for a tough reporting gig. In lieu of a recording device, I have brought along my daughter Edie who has an incredible memory for lyrics, for everything. She is ten, has never abused a substance, balks at even the occasional sip of champagne proffered by weird relatives, has barely even ever stayed up late. Her brain is pink and elastic. She is also, in this moment, my mule–before coming here we stow two inches of Blackwing pencil and a small blue notebook in her bag. This is Edie’s first concert and …

Meta Silently Added Face-Recognition Code for Its Smart Glasses to Millions of Phones

Meta Silently Added Face-Recognition Code for Its Smart Glasses to Millions of Phones

Published by skeptic

Meta has quietly embedded face-recognition technology for its smart glasses into an app downloaded to millions of phones, according to a WIRED analysis of the company’s software. Code discreetly added to Meta’s AI app over multiple updates this year shows that the feature, internally called “NameTag,” identifies people captured by the glasses’ camera and, when activated, alerts the wearer when it recognizes someone. The discovery of NameTag in the live Meta AI app shows that Meta had begun shipping face-recognition code to users’ phones while publicly describing it as something the company was still “thinking through.” In April, Meta said if it were to utilize face recognition, it wouldn’t be rolled out without first taking “a very thoughtful approach.” But WIRED found that as early as January, core components of the system had been integrated into software distributed to millions of people. Though not yet enabled, NameTag sits inside a Meta AI companion app that’s been downloaded over 50 million times and is necessary for use of key features of its smart glasses, including Ray-Ban …

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra: I tested both phones for a month – this one’s better

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra: I tested both phones for a month – this one’s better

Published by skeptic

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Motorola’s 2026 flagship foldables are among the most impressive devices I’ve tested this year. In one corner, you have the Razr Fold, a no-compromise foldable phone that, in some areas, outclasses Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. The fusion of powerful hardware, versatile triple-camera system, and expansive inner display transforms the Razr Fold into a mini tablet.  In the other corner, you have the Razr Ultra, a premium flip phone that packs flagship hardware into a more compact form factor. What’s great is that the Ultra doesn’t play second fiddle, boasting unique features the Razr Fold lacks. Also: The best phones: Expert tested and reviewed So, which should you buy? Both are excellent; however, key differences create distinct user experiences. To help you decide, I’ve broken down three major strengths of each phone and why you should buy it. Then, at the end, I will reveal my choice for best Motorola foldable. Specifications 2026 Razr Fold 2026 Razr Ultra Display Cover: 6.6-inch LTPO pOLED at 165Hz; Main: …

How to Block Spam Calls and Spam Texts on iPhone and Android (2022)

How to Block Spam Calls and Spam Texts on iPhone and Android (2022)

Published by skeptic

Life is busy enough without wasting time on spammers, scammers, and telemarketers. Whether you are suffering insistent injury lawyers, fraudulent car warranty representatives, or a drunk-dialing ex, there is a way to stop the endless calls and messages. The major carriers and phone manufacturers have upped their game against unwanted calls and messages in recent years, so let’s look at how you can effectively block them. We also have guides on how to avoid spam with disposable contact info, guard against smishing attacks, and avoid phishing scams. Frustrated by the whole situation and curious why no one’s been able to stop the barrage of spam calls? Check out WIRED senior writer Lily Hay Newman’s article on our perpetual robocall hell. What to Keep in Mind Before we dive into blocking options, there are a few things to know: If possible, don’t answer any calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Callers with anything important to say will likely leave a message anyway. Sadly, this won’t work for people with businesses or interests that involve a lot …

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Vivo X300 Ultra: My results after camera-testing the Android phones

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Vivo X300 Ultra: My results after camera-testing the Android phones

Published by skeptic

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the best phones you can buy right now. However, outside the US, it is facing tough competition from Chinese ultra phones, the latest being Vivo’s X300 Ultra.  It takes on the Samsung phone with a camera system that’s packed with not one or two, but three massive sensors. I was curious how it’d compare to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so I took the two phones on a photowalk. While I expected Vivo to perform better, Samsung surprised me in a few areas. Before I dive into the results from both devices, here’s an overview of how their specs compare. By the numbers Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Vivo X300 Ultra Main camera 200MP (OIS, PDAF), 1/1.3″ sensor with f/1.4 aperture and 23mm focal length 200MP (OIS, Laser autofocus, PDAF), 1/1.12″ sensor with f/1.9 aperture and 35mm focal length Telephoto Cameras 1. 50MP (Periscope tele, OIS, PDAF), 1/2.52″ sensor with f/2.9 aperture and 5x optical zoom2. 10MP (Telephoto, OIS, …

Google Expands AirDrop Support to More Android Phones

Google Expands AirDrop Support to More Android Phones

Published by skeptic

Google today said its Quick Share feature that allows Android and iPhone users to exchange files with AirDrop is expanding to more devices. Quick Share is now available on the following Android smartphones. Samsung: Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge (new) Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra (new) Galaxy Z Flip7 (new) Galaxy Z Fold7 (new) Galaxy Z Flip6 (new) Galaxy Z Fold6 (new) Galaxy Z TriFold (new) Google: Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, 10a Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a Pixel 8a Other Smartphone Makers: HONOR Magic V6 (new) OnePlus 15 (new) Xiaomi 17T Pro OPPO Find X9, X9 Pro, X9 Ultra, X9s OPPO Find N6 Vivo X300, X300 Pro, X300 Ultra Quick Share is the Android equivalent of AirDrop, and Google added AirDrop integration in November 2025. iPhone users can AirDrop files and photos to Quick Share-enabled Android devices, while Android users can use Quick Share to send files and photos to iPhone users. On an Android device, …

Android Is Fighting Phone Scams With a New Feature to Prove Who’s Calling

Android Is Fighting Phone Scams With a New Feature to Prove Who’s Calling

Published by skeptic

I’ve been covering spam calling for years, so when Google offered me details about a new Android feature built to detect and flag spoofed calls, I was ready to hear more. What I didn’t expect from the demo was to hear my own voice. “I’m so excited to be interviewing you today about this new fake-call detection feature!” I heard myself saying, while a headshot I’ve used publicly for years popped up on the demo device. The caller ID name said “Lily.” “Unfortunately, I lost my wallet and I’m stuck. Any chance you can Venmo me so I can take an Uber to the interview?” As my disembodied voice calmly made the ask, a pop-up appeared as an overlay on the regular call screen: “This may not be Lily. Someone may be pretending to call from your contact’s number.” For Android phones calling each other, the new feature does a digital validity check and flags with a pop-up warning if a call isn’t coming from your contact’s smartphone and may be a scam. When the …

Tello Mobile Plan Review (2026): Low Cost, Reliable Service

Tello Mobile Plan Review (2026): Low Cost, Reliable Service

Published by skeptic

But Tello’s latency was significantly higher in general—not enough to affect a game of Royal Match, but maybe you have higher demands. The download speeds were also lower for Tello in any given location, but not by a whole lot. At home, my cellular 5G data speeds tend to run at about 800 to 900 megabits a second on T-Mobile. With the Tello phone, it was around 30 percent slower. But both these speeds are well into 5G territory. They’re also a full order of magnitude faster than you’d ever need for 4K video. I had no problem streaming my usual dose of Josh Johnson comedy, if that’s what you’re wondering. Curiously, upload speed was actually faster with the Motorola Razr using Tello than with the old iPhone using T-Mobile. After consulting with my colleague Julian Chokkattu, who has covered phone advances for years, I’m likely to chalk this up to improved modem performance by the newer Motorola, not a secret backdoor to faster uploads by Tello. It’s only in areas with degraded or 4G …

iPhone 18: What We Know About Apple’s Upcoming Flagship Phones

iPhone 18: What We Know About Apple’s Upcoming Flagship Phones

Published by skeptic

Key takeaways Features: Dynamic Island could be smaller and cameras might have a variable aperture — plus, there are rumors of a bigger battery. However, some components could be downgraded due to memory component shortages. Colors: Apple could launch light blue, dark cherry and dark gray versions or variations thereof. Price: There have been no leaks about price increases, which is good news at this point. Release date: Apple might split the iPhone 18 launch between fall 2026 and spring 2027. The iPhone 18 lineup is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most consequential in years, and also one of its most complicated. The Pro and Pro Max models are expected to arrive in September, joined for the first time by Apple’s long-rumored foldable device, widely referred to as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, and expected to start above $2,000. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18E and a second-generation iPhone Air, meanwhile, are reportedly being pushed to spring 2027, a significant departure from the all-in-one-fall-event model Apple has followed for years. If you’ve …