PATREONItems tagged with project fi
With smartphone pricing getting out of hand (the Galaxy Note 10+ starts at $1,099), it's nice to know that some manufacturers -- like OnePlus -- are making flagship smartphones available at more palatable price (the OnePlus 7 Pro is priced from $669). But for some people, even that is a lot to spend on a device that will be mainly used for surfing the web, texting, and making phone calls. That's where Motorola comes in. Motorola has always prided itself on making affordable smartphones with its G and E Series devices, and that tradition extends to the Moto G7. The smartphone typically retails for $299, which is already a great price, but it can be had now for half price if you activate...
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After its big surprise was spoiled yesterday by a website leak, Google has announced that Project Fi is indeed making a big expansion. In fact, its name is also changing: the MVNO service will now be known as Google Fi. As we reported yesterday, Google Fi will now support a larger group of Android smartphones along with most newer iPhones. Google says that Google Fi will support "popular Android phones" including devices from Samsung, Motorola and OnePlus. iPhone support is currently listed as being in beta (you can grab the Google Fi iOS app here). When it comes to Android support, you should know that most Android smartphones will work as long as they are running Android 7.0 and have...
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It looks as though Google's Project Fi cellular service is about to expand in a big way. According to a new report, Google plans to offer Project Fi to people with iPhones, Samsung Galaxy devices, and OnePlus flagships. News of the Project Fi expansion was first reported by BGR, which apparently blew Google's embargo and then quickly pulled its article offline. However, eagle eyes were able to glean some details including the fact that iPhone support will reportedly be in "beta" -- at least initially. Although we don't know exactly what beta experience entails for iPhone users, it stands to reason that some features may not be fully implemented given Apple's tight control...
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If you've been interested in joining Google's Project Fi MVNO wireless network, but were unimpressed by the lineup of supported smartphones, we've got some good news for you. Google announced today that it is inviting three additional smartphones to Project Fi: the Motorola Moto G6, LG G7 ThinQand the LG V35 ThinQ. The Moto G6 and LG G7 ThinQ are already known quantities to us, with the former featuring a 5.7-inch Full HD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a microSD slot for expanded storage and TurboPower support. The latter -- which we previewed here-- features a 6.1-inch edge-to-edge display (3120x1440), Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB...
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Time sure does fly when you're having fun. The Project Fi MVNO wireless service just turned three years old today, and to celebrate, Google is offering a nice discount on its flagship Pixel 2 XL smartphones. Sure, we've seen some excellent Qualcomm Snapdragon 845-based flagships from the likes of Samsung and Sony so far this year, but few smartphones give you the clean, unblemished Android UI that comes with the Pixel 2 family. Today only you can purchase a 64GB Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi for $699 or the 128GB model for $799. These prices represent a $150 savings off their normal MSRP. Even better, the discounts are applied at checkout instead of being given...
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Show of hands, how many of you use Allo? Maybe a spattering of you reading this are in the category of Allo users, but by and large, most probably aren't. Well, the good news for those of you who don't and who are Android users is that Google is bringing one of Allo's most popular features over to Android messaging—Smart Replies. However, not all Android users are getting this, at least not initially. For the time being, the Smart Reply feature on Android is only available to users of Google's Project Fi service, which is a relatively inexpensive phone plan that seamlessly bounces subscribers between three 4G LTE networks and around 1 million secure Wi-Fi hotspots. Messaging on the go?...
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Once thought to be a dying breed, unlimited data plans for smartphones have come back with a vengeance in the past two years. Google is now getting in on the action with what is in essence an unlimited data option for its Project Fi MVNO service. The feature is called Bill Protection, and it caps the $10/GB pricing tiers at $60 once you use more than 6GB of data during a billing cycle. If you were to use 8GB of data in one billing cycle under the old policy, you would pay a total of $100 ($20 base fee for unlimited calling and texting, plus $80 for data). Now, with Bill Protection, your total outlay per month would be capped at $80 once you use over 6GB of data. All of the other perks of Project...
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The cat was first let out of the bag earlier this month that Motorola would bring the Moto X4 to the United States as the country's first Android One device. Today, Google confirmed that news and announced that the Moto X4 will be available via its Project Fi wireless service. What makes this Android One Moto X4 different is the fact that it runs the Android One operating system, which Google says offers a "pure Android experience". You won't find any extra Motorola software installed on the device, nor will you find any bloatware Although the Android One Moto X4 will come from the factory with Android Nougat, it will receive an update to Android Oreo before the end of the year. In addition,...
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For those of us that are used to traditional wireless plans from carriers like AT&T and Verizon, Google’s Project Fi is definitely a rather quirky alternative. The downside, however is that the number of smartphones that can be used with the service is very limited at this time. Right now, the only officially supported smartphones are the Nexus 5, Nexus 6P, Pixel and Pixel XL. However, that list will grow by [at least] one phone in the coming months according to Google. The internet giant tweeted out the following earlier this week: We hear you loud and clear. Keep an eye out for a new Fi-compatible device at a mid-tier price from one of our partners later this year. https://t.co/74U3bq16pa...
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Things have been relatively quiet for Google’s Project Fi for the past few months. When we last visited the MVNO in early October, Google rolled out family plans for the service, which uses a combination of Wi-Fi, and Sprint/T-Mobile/U.S. Cellular mobile networks for voice/data coverage depending on which provider can give you the strongest signal. Recently, Google has been upgrading Project Fi to support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) when connected to T-Mobile’s cellular voice network (Sprint and U.S. Cellular don’t currently support VoLTE). Right now, VoLTE is only enabled for a “subset of Project Fi users”, but should be rolled out to everyone once Google is able to work out all the kinks and validate...
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Google's making it easier to try out its potentially game changing Project Fi smartphone wireless service by now allowing you to sign up for a group plan. Previously the service was only available to individuals, which meant juggling multiple accounts if you wanted to get the whole family on board, but now you can have up to half a dozen people on a single plan. They don't have to be immediate family members, either. Heck, they don't even have to be related. Google is dropping any pretenses that people won't end up sharing a group plan with friends and co-workers, so feel free to add anyone you want to your account. Of course, as the primary account holder you're on the hook for their data usage,...
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Google’s Project Fi Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service has been an intriguing value proposition for smartphone users since its introduction over a year ago. Project Fi allows you to use Wi-Fi (whenever possible) for data and calls and can switch to cellular carriers (selected based on signal strength) when out of Wi-Fi range. When Project Fi launched, it did so with carrier support from T-Mobile and Sprint in the United States. Last month, Google brought on U.S. Cellular to further expand coverage so that “users have a connection nearly 99% of the time, and spend about 95% of cellular time on LTE.” But what about international service? Google has always offers international coverage...
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If you’re a fan of Google’s Project Fi hybrid wireless service, you’ll be happy to learn that the company is expanding network coverage with a third wireless carrier partner: U.S. Cellular. U.S. Cellular will join T-Mobile and Sprint, which have provided a patchwork of coverage across the United States for Project Fi subscribers since its inception. U.S. Cellular has service in 23 states, providing 4G LTE coverage to 99 percent of its subscribers in both rural and urban areas. The addition of a third wireless carrier is great news for those that were put off by the combined coverage are of T-Mobile and Sprint. While U.S. Cellular definitely isn’t as huge of an addition as a much larger players...
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If you’ve been looking in from the outside with regards to Google’s Project Fi wireless service, now is your chance to hop in with no strings attached. When Google launched Project Fi last year, it did so using an invitation-only system that artificially limited the number of people that could join the service. Google has stripped out the invite system and has now opened up Project Fi to anyone with a Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P (voice and data) or data-only with the Nexus 9, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4 or Galaxy Tab S. For those that need a refresher, Google charges you a flat $20 per month for a the Fi Basics package, which includes unlimited talk and text, Wi-Fi tethering, and international calling...
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If you thought that Google’s Project Fi Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service was good before, things just got a little bit better today -- the company has announced data-only support for some of the most popular tablets available. Customers who are already signed up for Project Fi will be able to order a data-only SIM (up to nine can be ordered from Google) and insert it into their tablet to gain wireless service. If you haven’t already signed up for Project Fi, you’ll have to request an invite and get in line like everyone else. Like the Project Fi for smartphones, you’ll be charged a simple flat rate of $10 per gigabyte for the data you use. And since you only pay for what you use,...
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If you're a current Project Fi subscriber, you may soon be in for a little bit of a surprise. According to a slew of users on Google+, Google has begun sending out a small gift to subscribers as a way to say thanks for putting faith in its carrier business. Inside the box is an instructional booklet that says, "Thanks for your support. Let's build on this.", and once you spot the pile of LEGO inside, you'll soon get the subtle joke. Inspired by Project Fi's own colors, this LEGO can be used to build a stand that lets you set your phone down sideways while it charges. According to some users, the pieces can also be used to build a cable organizer. Credit: Jason Lukaszewski If you haven't received...
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Earlier today, Google kicked off sales of one of if two new Android 6.0 Marshmallow flagships: the Nexus 5X. However, that isn’t all that Google has in store today for Nexus fans, the company has also opened up a 24-hour windows in which Nexus owner can get an instant invite (click here) to try out the Project Fi wireless service. Up until this point, you’ve had to acquire an invite to join Project Fi, then sit around and wait to selected to join the festivities. But from now until around this time tomorrow, you’ll be able to bypass the bouncer at the door and get your groove on with other Project Fi participants. The #Nexus5X ships today–so Project Fi is giving out instant invites for 24hrs...
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When Google first announced its Project Fi wireless service in late April, one of the headlining features allowed customers to receive refunds for unused data. For example, Google charges $10 per gigabyte of data that you add to your plan; so if you pay $60 for 6GB worth of data and only use 2GB during your billing cycle, you’ll receive a refund of $40. Rather than just let new customers binge on its unlimited data plans ($25 for unlimited 3G data, $40 for unlimited 4G data), Republic Wireless has announced that it is tossing them in favor of a refund model similar in concept to Google’s Project Fi. The available Refund plans will include: 500MB of 4G data for $17.50 per month 1GB of 4G data...
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There's a lot to like about Google's new Project Fi mobile service, but as we now learn, there are some important caveats to bear in mind if you're a hardcore Google Voice user. According to a reddit user, Google has begun sending out invites to Project Fi, and while the entire process appears to be straight-forward, a possible roadblock comes to us in the form of a Google Voice decision screen: If you happen to prefer your Google Voice phone number over your current mobile one, you'll be able to adopt it at this page. Afterwards, Google will transfer some data from your Voice account over to Fi, including voicemail greeting, voicemails, texts, and history. The caveat comes next: by moving to...
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Google's plan to disrupt the wireless world is one step closer to fruition with its Project Fi now available to download from Google Play. Project Fi, in case you missed our previous coverage, is a new wireless service offered by Google exclusive to Nexus 6 owners. Through Project Fi, Google turns itself into a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) piggybacking on T-Mobile and Sprint. Whichever partner has the strongest LTE signal in any given area is the one that Nexus 6 wielding Project Fi subscribers will connect to. In addition, Project Fi also taps into millions of Google-approved open Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. Concerned about privacy? Google says it encrypts all data that's transmitted,...
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In my best Ron Paul impression, all I can say is “It’s happening!” Google today announced its Project Fi wireless service, which has been the subject of much speculation over the past few months. However, Google has confirmed much of that speculation now that the full details of the service have been revealed. First and foremost, Project Fi — yes, that is its official name — is limited only to the Nexus 6 smartphone for the time being. That will severely limit the service’s reach at launch, but it does allow for Google to initially tailor the service for a hardware/software platform that it completely controls. If you can past that bit of disappointing news, Project Fi actually has a lot to offer....
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We’ve been hearing a lot about Google’s wireless service during the past few months. And now, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, we’re set to hear even more about the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service starting tomorrow. Google will reportedly push its service, which was developed under the codename Nova and more recently branded Project Fi, “as early as Wednesday” according to the WSJ. As we reported earlier this month, Project Fi will only charge customers for the data they use. If a customer purchases a 4GB allotment of data for a given billing cycle and only uses 2GB, he or she would receive a refund for the unused data at the end of the month. Google Fi is...
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