Latest news with #Helium
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Make your dust collecting backup phone useful again with free 5G service from this T-Mobile MVNO
As a card-carrying member of the "grass is always greener on the other side" club, I can always feel when I'm about to change my daily driver from a Pixel to an iPhone and vice versa. My daily driver has been an iPhone 15 Pro Max and I had my Pixel 6 Pro connected to Wi-Fi as a limited backup so I could get screenshots and check out new features on Android. My Pixel was supposed to lose Android support after the release of Android 15 but Google added two more Android updates allowing me to keep using the phone up to the release of Android 17. I still didn't feel the call of Android until I installed Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 1 on my Pixel 6 Pro . The software turned the Pixel 6 Pro into a different phone that is more responsive. It also completely fixed any issues with the in-display fingerprint scanner, increased the battery life, and overall it made the phone not only usable but desirable. But I'm not yet ready to completely drop the iPhone for my Pixel, nor did I feel like spending for a new line in order to make calls, send and receive texts, and even take the device with me out of Wi-Fi range. Running through the apps on my Pixel, I found the solution when I stumbled across the icon for Helium Mobile. I remember doing a story on the T-Mobile MVNO in February which noted that Helium offered the first free 5G wireless plan in the U.S. So I decided to sign up for Helium's Zero Plan which offers 3GB of 5G data, 100 minutes of calls, 5GB of hotspot data, and 300 texts each month for the low, low price of zero. Helium Mobile's Zero plan compared to low-priced service from the competition. | Image credit-Helium Mobile Signing up for the service on the Pixel 6 Pro took about five minutes and I was given a new phone number. Since I still will probably use my Pixel inside, I can hold off on using too much data until I have a Wi-Fi connection. The cool thing is that I now can take my Pixel out with me at times when I'd rather have it accompany me and it isn't costing me a dime. Helium uses T-Mobile's nationwide 5G service (more on that later). Helium's Cloud Point program rewards you for personal data that the other wireless firms take from you without giving you anything in return. For example, if you agree to participate in anonymized location sharing, referrals, and surveys, you can earn points. These points can be redeemed for gift cards to certain stores, streaming services, rideshares, food, and more. So far, I haven't had an issue at all with the 5G service which recently ran at a download data speed of 109 Mbps and an upload data speed of 4.06 Mbps. That indicates that Helium uses T-Mobile 's low-band 600MHz nationwide 5G service as opposed to its 5G Ultra Capacity service that uses 2.5GHz mid-band to deliver a typical download data speed of 200 Mbps to 500Mbps. Still, the service was fast enough to use on the go and calls sounded great. Helium has other plans too. All three plans include: Zero Plan ($0/month): 3GB of data, 300 texts, 100 minutes Air Plan ($15/month): 10GB of data with unlimited talk and text Infinity Plan ($30/month): Unlimited data, talk and text Switch to Total 5G+ Unlimited 3-Month plan or Total 5G Unlimited and get a free iPhone. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Buy at Total Wireless
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
The charity bringing joy, creativity and culture to young lives
Helene Hugel, founder and CEO of Helium Arts, explores the work of the Irish charity that brings creativity and joy to children and young people aged 6–16 living with lifelong physical health conditions. Imagine being a child or teenager living with a lifelong physical health condition—hospital visits, daily medications, missing out on school or playdates. You're not just living with the condition—you start to feel defined by it, explaining it over and over at every new activity. Now imagine someone handing you a paintbrush or a camera and saying, "Go ahead, create something amazing." That's the kind of transformation Helium Arts brings to life. Helium Arts is a national charity in Ireland that supports children and teenagers aged 6–16 with health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, spina bifida, heart conditions, juvenile arthritis,rare diseases and more. Through free creative workshops in communities, hospitals, and online, Helium offers these young people a way to build confidence, make friends, and most importantly—have fun. Led by professional artists and supported by volunteers and medical staff, these workshops are more than just arts and crafts. They're safe, welcoming spaces where young people can be themselves, explore their creativity, build confidence, and make real connections with others who understand what they're going through. Art becomes a powerful way to connect. It helps build mental well-being, a sense of belonging, and even a bit of joy during tough times. In Ireland, over 156,000 children and teenagers live with long-term health conditions. Many experience isolation or are excluded from typical social activities. Helium Arts is working to change that, especially through their growing work in the area of inclusion health—an approach that tackles barriers faced by disadvantaged children. Research shows that children from these backgrounds are three times more likely to have their lives impacted by their conditions.* Art becomes a powerful way to connect. It helps build mental well-being, a sense of belonging, and even a bit of joy during tough times. Parents often say that after attending a Helium workshop, their child comes home happier, more confident, and excited about something new—sometimes for the first time in a while. This spirit of creativity and resilience is captured in Journeys, Helium Arts' latest exhibition. Featuring artwork by children and teenagers in the programme, the exhibition celebrates the journeys of these young artists as they create their own paths in life – reminding us that a journey isn't only about where it leads, but also about the stories it tells along the way. The exhibition is now open in Ennis and coming soon to Dublin, and as part of Cruinniú na nÓg on 7th June, there'll be free workshops and open studios where families can drop in, get creative, and see firsthand what Helium is all about. At its heart, we believe every child deserves to feel creative, included, and proud of who they are. Through the power of art, Helium is helping young people shine—even in the face of big challenges.
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
You can get free food all summer at these Helium Mobile pop-ups in NYC
New Yorkers are famously skeptical of anything labeled 'free,' especially if it's tech-related and promises 'no catch.' But this summer, Helium Mobile is making good on a rare deal: a $0 phone plan and an entire lineup of pop-up events serving free food across the five boroughs. That's right—no contracts, no credit checks and no tab for your tacos. The wireless newcomer is celebrating its people-powered 5G network with a citywide tour of culinary collabs and giveaways at some of NYC's tastiest destinations. The hook? Come for the bites, stay to learn how to finally ditch your sky-high phone bill. Kicking things off on June 3, the brand teams up with Isshiki Matcha in the East Village, where a free matcha and live DJ set will help ease you into your week. If you're more into tortillas than tea, Alta Calidad in Prospect Heights is serving up free tacos and Helium Mobile flair on July 15. You'll also find Helium at some of the city's most beloved food fests: Queens Night Market (June 7 and August 2), Uptown Night Market (June 12 and July 10), Bronx Night Market (June 28 and July 26) and Smorgasburg Williamsburg (June 21 and July 19). Expect late-night bites, surprise merch and the rare joy of learning you can have a phone plan that costs exactly $0. Not a night market type? No worries. Helium's also sending out Nice Day Moto, a mobile coffee cart slinging free lattes from a custom motorcycle at various Manhattan and Brooklyn locations throughout the summer, including Pier 36, the Brooklyn Museum and the Meatpacking District.
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Are free phone plans actually worth using and what's the catch?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority While there are plenty of affordable phone service providers, just how low can you go on your phone bill? Believe it or not, it's actually possible to get cellular service for free. You might assume there's some kind of income restriction or major catch — and in most cases, you'd be right. Most free plans require you to qualify for the government's Lifeline assistance program based on income. However, a few providers now offer free service to anyone, regardless of income. In the past, FreedomPop was one of the most well-known free options. I even used it briefly for my daughter's first phone. Unfortunately, they no longer offer truly free plans. Over time, prepaid carriers have become increasingly affordable, but until recently, TextNow was the only real option left for completely free service. That changed earlier this year when Helium Mobile launched its own free plan, adding some much-needed competition. I've been testing both services privately for about a month now, and I've come away with a much clearer picture of whether free phone plans are worth the usual trade-offs. Let's dive into what each provider offers and who should (or shouldn't) consider them. TextNow vs Helium Based on my research, TextNow and Helium Mobile are the only reputable providers currently offering free phone service in the U.S. as of 2025. Here's a quick breakdown of what each one includes: TextNow Talk, Text, and Essential Data: Free unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's network (after a one-time $4.99 SIM fee). 350MB of high-speed data, then throttled speeds (128Kbps) up to 1GB total — enough for maps, email, rideshares, and basic messaging. Requires a special ad-supported app for calling and texting — your phone's native dialer won't work. Offers hourly, daily, or monthly data add-ons ($0.99/hour, $4.99/day, $39.99/month). Helium Zero Plan: Includes 3GB of data, 300 texts, and 100 minutes each month. Offers 'Cloud Points' as a reward system — earn points through referrals, monthly usage, Wi-Fi profile installs, and more. You can upgrade to the Air Plan for $15/month to get unlimited talk, text, and data. Right out of the gate, Helium wins if free data is your top priority. In contrast, TextNow is a better pick for unlimited calling and texting, though its data offering is barely usable for most tasks. TextNow is clearly designed for light, essential data use (like Google Maps or WhatsApp), while Helium is more about giving you a fully functional backup mobile experience with a limited amount of monthly data. Of course, neither plan offers premium-level perks, so what really matters is how well the service actually works. Here's how they compare in key areas: Network partner : Both use the T-Mobile network, though Helium supplements this with its own hotspot network in select areas. : Both use the T-Mobile network, though Helium supplements this with its own hotspot network in select areas. Reliability and speed: Expect deprioritization and slower speeds during congestion. In my testing, T-Mobile generally gives around 25–50 Mbps where I live, but with both of these services, I typically saw speeds under 10 Mbps, sometimes even under 3 Mbps or less. Typically usable, but limited. Expect deprioritization and slower speeds during congestion. In my testing, T-Mobile generally gives around 25–50 Mbps where I live, but with both of these services, I typically saw speeds under 10 Mbps, sometimes even under 3 Mbps or less. Typically usable, but limited. App experience : Helium lets you use your phone's native dialer and messaging apps. TextNow forces you into its ad-heavy, buggy app — and yes, it is annoying. : Helium lets you use your phone's native dialer and messaging apps. TextNow forces you into its ad-heavy, buggy app — and yes, it is annoying. Extras : Helium's reward system is decent in theory, though you likely won't ever qualify for anything. You can redeem points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, and Sephora. TextNow doesn't offer anything comparable. : Helium's reward system is decent in theory, though you likely won't ever qualify for anything. You can redeem points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, and Sephora. TextNow doesn't offer anything comparable. Privacy and security: TextNow's app dependency raises some privacy concerns, and its poor integration with two-factor authentication is a downside. Meanwhile, Helium requires always-on location sharing to use its free plan — which some may find intrusive. Nothing in life is ever really free, so what's the catch? As you'd expect, these companies aren't giving you service out of the goodness of their hearts. They're still making money, just in less obvious ways. TextNow primarily relies on ads. Its app is packed with them, and it functions more like a VoIP line than a traditional mobile service. That helps keep costs down for the company, but it also causes compatibility issues. For example, it doesn't work well with two-factor authentication, which is a major drawback in today's world. With Helium, the revenue model is murkier. The company requires location sharing to qualify for the free plan, but claims it doesn't sell your data. Still, the persistent tracking requirement raises red flags for privacy-conscious users. Whether or not they're selling the data, it's reasonable to assume that some value is being extracted from that constant stream of location info — or they wouldn't offer the service for free. It's also likely that the Zero Plan is a way to build awareness of Helium's hotspot network and premium offerings, so it's not necessarily that Helium is up to anything sneaky here but it's still something to be aware of. Free phone plans can be great, but they are not for everyone Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Honestly? I was pleasantly surprised by how well both services handled calling and texting. That said, there are definitely quirks — particularly with TextNow, whose app often felt sluggish and bloated with ads. When it came to data, the limitations became more obvious. Neither provider offered great speeds, and during peak congestion, it wasn't unusual for performance to dip below 1 Mbps in crowded areas. Still, getting a full 3GB of data from Helium was a huge plus. By comparison, TextNow's data is more like an emergency reserve than anything you could realistically use day to day. If I had to choose one, Helium Mobile's free plan would be my recommendation in most cases. You get more data, a smoother user experience, and the ability to use your native dialer and messaging apps. However, if you don't use data at all and just want free, unlimited talk and text, TextNow could still be a solid pick. I'm going to be honest: I would not recommend either service for a primary mobile line, unless the following is true: You still have a landline at home . The same applies if you have a VOIP device set up. It's good to have a backup here. . The same applies if you have a VOIP device set up. It's good to have a backup here. The service is intended for a child's first phone . There's no cost here, and it's a good training wheel service to see if your kid is ready for a paid phone plan. . There's no cost here, and it's a good training wheel service to see if your kid is ready for a paid phone plan. You absolutely can't afford to pay anything for service. These free services are fairly reliable and certainly better than nothing. If you're just looking for a secondary line, both services are solid options — especially if you want T-Mobile coverage to complement a different primary network. For example, I pair Helium's T-Mobile-based plan with my main line on Verizon. That said, in most situations, Helium is the clear winner. You probably don't need unlimited calls or texts on a backup line, but having 3GB of usable data can come in handy. Whether it's for occasional hotspot use, temporary phone swaps, or giving a number to people you don't know well, it works. At the end of the day, you're trading a bit of privacy (and some quality-of-life features) for free service. That's not inherently a bad deal — especially if you're already handing over your data to countless other services anyway. If you haven't tried either of these providers yet, I recommend giving them a shot. You've got almost nothing to lose. You can learn more or sign up at the Helium or TextNow websites, respectively.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto needs to fix its image—or it'll stay stuck in its malaise
Crypto is a tale of two worlds. On one hand, the space has never had as strong a product-market fit as it does today across a range of categories, from payments to infrastructure to decentralized finance. Builders have access to capital, a more welcoming (if still imperfect) domestic regulatory environment, and increasingly mature infrastructure. It's easier to build and use crypto products now than at any point in the past. Yet on the other hand, the space continues to be awash with grift, short-termism, and a lack of broader public support. Sentiment was supposed to be different in 2025. Instead, a malaise still hangs over the market. What gives? Having been investing in crypto since 2019, I'm no stranger to skepticism about the space. I'm a believer, of course, and readers of the crypto trades embrace the field—and I'd even venture to say a significant portion of Fortune readers are believers, too. We don't have to convince each other. We feel the potential and see the progress; the outside world largely sees confusion, scams, and broken promises. So it's worth writing this and continuing the conversation among friends and skeptics alike. The fact is crypto's biggest headwind isn't regulation, price action, or even grifters. It's perception. From the outside looking in, the industry often comes off as unserious. But beneath the surface, real businesses solving real problems are being built. We need to advance the conversation beyond the crypto echo chamber on X. We need to build businesses that solve real-world problems—not just airdrop hype or pocket JPEGs as NFTs. Because that's what the outside world is seeing. Despite the perception, real progress is happening. Measuring crypto adoption is notoriously difficult, but estimates suggest that around 7% of the global population owns crypto today. That's meaningful, but it's nowhere near enough. We haven't had the 'my mom is using crypto' moment yet. In my day job at a generalist venture fund, I don't care whether a company uses blockchain or not. But I do care if blockchain unlocks a meaningful advantage. Crypto is a 'choose your own adventure' technology and can be applied in a million ways. Sometimes it's the right tool, sometimes not. Removing friction—whether in cross-border payments, mobile, or beyond—is how we get crypto to the mainstream. Not by preaching to the choir. Not by leaning into financial speculation. But by creating experiences that are better, faster, and cheaper for everyday people—even if they don't know (or care) that crypto is under the hood. Consider DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network), which refers to a physical infrastructure network that uses blockchain to improve the efficiency of a network (e.g., wireless networks, energy grids, data storage, etc.). Projects like Helium and M13 portfolio company Hivemapper incentivize consumers with tokens to participate in their networks (i.e., deploying wi-fi hotposts for Helium, dashcams for Hivemapper), and as a result they can build networks with structurally lower capex costs than their counterparts. Does the average person know what DePIN is? No. But the average person doesn't understand or care how Google Maps or Boingo Hotspots work either. In both cases, blockchain is the catalyst. Token incentives offset the massive capital expenditure that traditionally gatekeep infrastructure build-outs. Participants are rewarded for participation, and networks are scaled faster and cheaper than we've seen with that of innovations built on Web2, where users felt compelled to build out and contribute solutions through user generated content and social media. That is the DePIN playbook at work. Stablecoins—tokens that are pegged to a fixed value, often a fiat currency—have become one of crypto's real-world use cases. In 2024, stablecoin volumes hit $8.5 trillion. While small compared to the $190 trillion in global cross-border payment volume, they're growing rapidly for good reason. Programmable payments, 24/7 operations, and nearly instant settlement of stablecoins offer compelling alternatives to the traditional correspondent banking model plagued by trapped liquidity, opacity, high costs, and slow timelines. Friction in cross-border payments will dissipate as dollars become digitized in the form of stablecoins. Another overlooked area for friction removal is the mobile experience. Today's mobile web is riddled with clunky payments, difficult authentication, and poor identity management. Mobile crypto apps have historically made this worse, not better. But that's starting to change. Crypto wallets like Phantom are bringing intuitive, consumer-grade experiences to crypto. Mobile wallets are getting easier to set up, fund, and use across applications. Meanwhile, hardware innovation is picking up steam. The team behind the blockchain Solana developed its own phone, the Saga, and while it may not replace the iPhone anytime soon, it was a strategic signal: The future of crypto needs to be mobile-native, not just mobile-compatible. Expect deeper OS-level integrations—from native wallets to decentralized identity management—to become table stakes in the next wave of devices. Crypto enthusiasts already imagine a future where signing into an app, sending a payment, proving your identity, or verifying a document is native to your phone without needing dozens of middlemen apps or endless passwords. Now, it's time to simplify the message and make it relevant to outsiders. To truly break through, the crypto community needs to address our industry-wide marketing problem. Here's how: Speak in benefits, not features: Talk about what crypto enables, not how it works. Embrace accessibility: Build products that feel familiar while delivering new value. Demonstrate integrity: Actively distance ourselves from the scams and schemes. Show don't tell: Let working products build credibility instead of promises. The next wave of crypto winners will make the technology invisible and inevitable—solving real problems that matter to people outside our echo chamber. I feel that's already happening. Crypto has a marketing crisis, not a tech one. We need to stop convincing ourselves and start welcoming outsiders through demonstrable value. Only then will we transform from a niche technology movement into the foundation of a more efficient, accessible digital future. The opinions expressed in commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. Read more: America must harness stablecoins to future-proof the dollar Stablecoin legislation risks sowing seeds of a financial crisis The U.S. dollar's strongest ally is crypto Elon Musk wants the U.S. Treasury to be on a blockchain. That's a terrible idea—take it from a big proponent of the technology This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
