FCC Waives 60-Day Phone Unlocking Rule for Verizon
The FCC today waived a long-standing rule that required Verizon — and only Verizon — to unlock its phones 60 days after purchase. The rule was a condition attached to the unique nationwide license for the C block of the 700 MHz band. Verizon paid nearly $5 billion for this license in 2008, and these frequencies (band 13) became the cornerstone of its 4G network. The FCC re-affirmed this rule as a condition of Verizon buying TracFone in 2021. Verizon claims that TracFone saw fraud increase 55% after adopting Verizon's 60-day policy. Verizon will now adopt unlocking policies in line with other carriers. Specifically, as a member of the CTIA industry group, Verizon will follow unlocking policies outlined in the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service. This generally means when a postpaid device is fully paid off, or after one year for a prepaid device. The FCC will no longer enforce a phone-unlocking policy.
Apple to Base Apple Intelligence on Google's AI
Apple and Google have released a statement confirming that "the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year." Apple clarified that privacy features of Apple Intelligence, and Apple's privacy promises, will remain unchanged, including on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute where necessary. After struggling to deliver competitive AI features for several years, and delaying key Apple Intelligence features several times, Apple now says that it "determined that Google's Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models".
Ikea Launches Cheaper Phone Chargers
Ikea has launched a new fast phone charger that it sells for just $4. The "Sjöss 20W 1-port USB charger" offers 20 watts over USB-C PD. It joins an existing 30W version in the lineup that sells for $8. Ikea also just launched a $10 Qi2 magnetic wireless charger, which can be used together with a Sjöss charger. The "Västmärke" wireless charger has a unique, donut-shaped silicone ring that can be used for cord storage or like a "pop-socket" for better grip of an attached phone.
Moto Tag 2 Lasts 500+ Days
Motorola has announced the Moto Tag 2, its newest location-tracking device for Google's Find Hub network. The tag supports both Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding and Ultra Wideband (UWB) for quick item finding with precise distance and direction information. The device has an IP68 rating for dust and water. It gets over 500 days of battery life from its user-replaceable standard CR2032 coin battery. The tag also has a 77dB speaker and a button, which can be used to make your phone play a sound so you can find it (even when it's on silent), or as a remote shutter for your phone's camera. The device is ~32mm in diameter and 8mm thick. Pricing and release date have yet to be announced.
Motorola Previews razr fold
Motorola has taken the wraps (mostly) off its newest and most ambitious foldable phone to date: the "razr fold". The device has a 6.6-inch outer display, but unfolds to reveal an 8.1-inch flexible inner display. Those measurements are just slightly larger than the displays on Samsung's competing Galaxy Z Fold7. The phone isn't coming to market until this "summer", so Motorola isn't releasing full specifications, just a handful of details. Like that it will have three rear cameras and all will be 50 megapixel, including a Sony Lytia sensor on the main camera and a 3x periscope telephoto camera. The external selfie camera will be 32 megapixel and the inner camera, 20 megapixel. It will support Dolby Vision video capture. It will also support a new moto pen ultra stylus, which has both pressure sensitivity and tilt detection. Color options will be: Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White. Further details will announced closer to launch.
Motorola Teases Book-Style Foldable
Motorola has posted a teaser on its official US Instagram account showing a new phone that folds like a book, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, with the tagline "The future unfolded". The post is promoting a major press conference that Motorola and Lenovo will hold tomorrow at the CES trade show. The implication, of course, is that Motorola will announce this new foldable phone tomorrow. Few details can be gleaned from the short video clip, although it does show a large square camera bump with four "lenses", a centered camera hole on the outer display, and a camera hole in the corner of the large inner display. The press conference starts at 5pm PT at The Sphere in Las Vegas and will be streamed online. Until now, Motorola has only sold clamshell-style foldable phones under its "razr" brand. Its current lineup of includes the 2025 razr, razr+, and razr ultra.
Anker's Tiny New iPhone Charger has a Display
Anker has launched a new "Nano" smart charger for iPhones with a "smart display" and controls for a "tailored" charge. This tiny charger can charge at up to 45 watts, providing 50% more power while being 47% smaller compared to an Apple 30-watt charger. It has unique plug prongs that fold 180º. It will be available January 20 for $40.
Eufy's new Tracker Card has Wireless Charging
Anker brand Eufy has launched the new SmartTrack Card E40, a Bluetooth tracking card. It's just 1.7mm thick, making it suitable for putting in a wallet, etc. It works with both the Apple and Google Bluetooth tracking networks (Find My / Find Hub). It lasts up to five months on a single charge and supports Qi wireless charging. It also features a loud (100dB) alert speaker to assist locating a lost item when nearby. It will ship later this quarter for $35. It will be available individually or in packs of up to four.
Punkt Updates its Privacy-Focused Smartphone
Swiss phone maker Punkt has announced a new version of its privacy-centered 5G smartphone. The Punkt MC03 is an update to the Punkt MC02, with updated specs like a 120 MHz AMOLED (full-color) display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an IP68 rating for dust and water. Like the MC02, it runs AphyOS (based on Android Open Source) and offers both a curated set of privacy-first apps (now referred to as "Vault"), plus the ability to run third-party Android apps with extra privacy options (now appearing in a separate section called "Wild Web"). New with the MC03, core apps like email, calendar, and cloud storage are provided by Proton. AphyOS continues to require a $10/month subscription for full functionality, which Punkt explains as replacing the money that other phone OSes make from selling your data. A one-year subscription is included. Discounts are available for purchasing several years in advance. The Punkt MC03 will be available in North America this spring for $699.
Clicks Launches New Ways to Add a Physical Keyboard to Your Life
Clicks — the company previously known for its keyboard cases — has announced two entirely new types of products: The Clicks Power Keyboard is a magnetic wireless charging power bank that snaps to the back of your phone but also has a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard. Attached to a phone, it can be used in portrait or landscape orientation, and has multiple slide positions for phones of different sizes. It works with both iPhones and Android phones. It can also be used by itself as a small Bluetooth keyboard for a tablet, TV, or VR headset. Its battery is rated 2,150 mAh. The Clicks Communicator is a full-on Android 16 smartphone that can be used as a primary phone, or as a companion device to a traditional smartphone. It's designed to discourage "doom-scrolling" by having a smaller, 4.03-inch display. It has a notification light on the side that can light up in different colors for different contacts and/or apps. The physical keyboard is touch-sensitive for scrolling, and has a fingerprint sensor built into the space bar. It also has a 3.5mm headset jack. Its features are otherwise robust, with 5G (including good support for US networks), a 50 megapixel main camera (with OIS) and 24 megapixel front camera, 4,000 mAh battery, Qi2 wireless charging, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and 256 GB of storage that's also expandable. The Power Keyboard will run $109, or $79 for those who pre-order soon. It ships this spring. The Communicator has a full price of $499, or $399 for those who "reserve" one before February 27. Those who pay in full when they reserve will receive two free back covers (worth $100 total). The Communicator will ship "later this year".
Samsung Stays The Course with its Entry-Level Model
Samsung has announced its newest entry-level phone for the US, the Galaxy A17 5G. It replaces the Galaxy A16 5G while changing essentially none of the hardware specs or features. The primary change is the body, which is now more durable thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, and a "glass fiber reinforced polymer" on the back. These material changes also make the phone lighter and slightly slimmer. The software has also been updated, to Android 16, and Samsung promises six years of software updates. It will be available in black, blue, and gray. It goes on sale January 7 for $200. It will be offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Verizon. It will also be available from samsung.com, where customers "can receive up to 30% off Galaxy Buds3 FE or up to 10% off Galaxy Watch7."
Europe Forces Apple to Open up More of iOS
Apple will add new interoperability between iPhones (and iPads) and non-Apple devices in two key areas starting with iOS 26.3, in response to Europe's Digital Markets Act. In Europe only, iOS 26.3 will allow third-party devices like smartwatches to receive notifications and react to them. Pairing Bluetooth devices like earbuds will also potentially get easier with Proximity Pairing, where you can simply bring two devices near each other to pair them. These features were previously proprietary to Apple devices like the Apple Watch and AirPods, and, for now, will remain that way in the rest of the world. The features do require work on the part of device makers in order to be supported. Developers can start that work now with beta versions of iOS 26.3, while the features are expected to be "fully available in Europe" in 2026.
OnePlus 15R Boasts Huge 7,400 mAh Battery
OnePlus has revealed full details of the OnePlus 15R, the company's more-affordable cousin to the recently-launched OnePlus 15. Where the 15 led the market at launch with a huge 7,300 mAh battery, the new 15R one-ups that with a 7,400 mAh battery. It also can fast-charge at up to 55 watts, or even 80 watts with a special OnePlus "dual ports" charger. Compared to the 13R it replaces, the 15R also has upgraded waterproofing and durability with an IP69K rating and Gorilla Glass 7i. The front camera also sees a step up to 32 megapixel and auto-focus, the processor is the brand-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and the display is now capable of up to 165 Hz refresh (only in certain compatible games). Unfortunately, the 15R lacks the telephoto camera found on the 13R and 15. Other specs include 12 GB RAM, 50 megapixel main camera with OIS, Wi-Fi 7, infrared emitter, and good support for most 5G and 4G networks in the US. The OnePlus 15R will be available January 15 for $700 with 256 GB storage and a choice of black or mint green colors. A 512 GB version will also be available, in black only, for $800.
Motorola Refreshes moto g power for 2026
Motorola has revealed a new version of its moto g power, the company's $300 Android phone for the US. The new 2026 model is very similar to last year's model, with just a handful of changes. The battery size has increased from 5,000 to 5,200 mAh, at the expense of wireless charging. The display glass has been upgraded to Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for added protection. Finally, the front camera has been upgraded from 16 megapixel to a 32 megapixel sensor (pixel-binned to output 8 megapixel photos.) Other specs and features are unchanged, including a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with 120 Hz refresh, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip, 8 / 128 GB memory, and a 50 megapixel main camera sensor (again, pixel-binned to output 12.5 megapixel images.) It also has as IP68/IP69 rating for water, military ratings for durability, expandable storage, headset jack, NFC, and a fingerprint reader. It will be offered in two Pantone colors: Pure Cashmere (beige) and Evening Blue. It will be available starting January 8, from Verizon and unlocked. Later, it will come to Cricket, Tracfone, Visible, Total, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, and AT&T.
Google Brings Live Video Sharing to 911 Calls on Android
Google has launched a new feature of Android that makes it easy to share live video with an emergency dispatcher during an emergency phone call or text. Emergency Live Video on Android is a new feature that can be initiated by the dispatcher. "During an emergency call or text, a dispatcher can send a request to your phone to share live video. With a single tap, you can start securely streaming from your camera, allowing responders to quickly assess the situation and get you the right help in the moment." The feature requires no setup and works with a single tap. It is also optional (you can decline the request) and you can end video sharing at any time with a single tap. "The feature is rolling out today across the U.S., as well as select regions of Germany and Mexico, and is supported on Android phones running Android 8+ with Google Play services."
Mophie Debuts new Travel Charger Lineup
Mophie has introduced a new lineup of "Speedport" USB-C chargers that make use of compact, efficient GaN technology. The lineup sports a clean, minimalist design and folding power prongs. The range spans a variety of wattages and price points. The external plastics are made from 75% post-consumer recycled materials. The most affordable is the Speedport 20 (shown), offering a single USB-C port and 20W of power for $15. The Speedport 35 (not shown) steps up to 35W and sells for $25. The Speedport 45 (shown) offers two USB-C ports and 45W of shared power for $40. Also available are the Speedport 70, 100, and 140, with the 140W model offering three USB-C ports. All six of those models are available now. Coming "soon" will be the Speedport Plus 67 (shown, middle), which has two USB-C ports plus a built-in retractable USB-C cable on the bottom. It will offer 67W of shared power for $60.
Samsung One UI 8.5 Will Offer New Features
Samsung has launched a limited beta program for its next version of Android, One UI 8.5. It includes a few key new features: Audio Broadcast will let you broadcast audio — including your own voice — to multiple nearby devices using Bluetooth Auracast. Proactive Quick Share will automatically recognize your contacts' faces in the photos you take, and suggest that you share those photos with those contacts. Storage Share will unify file storage between Samsung devices, letting you access files on nearby TVs, tablets, and PCs from the My Files app on your phone. The One UI 8.5 beta program will initially be available to Galaxy S25 series users. Eligible users can apply to join the beta program via the Samsung Members app.
OnePlus 15 Ships December 22
After a delay due to the government shutdown, OnePlus has started taking pre-orders for its OnePlus 15 flagship phone. The company's web site currently shows that it "ships in 18 days", and only the pricier 16/512 GB version is available for now.
