Latest news with #Pixel6Pro
Phone Arena
03-06-2025
- 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
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Google warns millions of phone owners to check setting TODAY as crooks ‘targeting' victims with mystery attack right now
GOOGLE is urging millions of phone owners to update their devices as soon as possible. The company says it fixes dozens of security loopholes – some of which crooks may be using to "target" victims right now. 3 An important update is rolling out to millions of Android phones Credit: Google If you don't update your Android phone, you risk leaving your handset wide open to being attacked by cyber-criminals. Google even warned that for some of the most severe bugs, user interaction "is not needed for exploitation". That means you could be targeted even if you do nothing – you don't need to click a link or open a message to become a victim. The only way to guarantee safety is to update your Android phone with the May fixes. Google's latest update includes two patches – named 2025-05-01 and 2025-05-05 – which include 28 and 22 security bug fixes respectively. "We encourage all customers to accept these updates to their devices," Google said. Google is rolling out the patches right now, which means you should see it appear on your phone in the coming hours. To check your phone's Android version, go to Settings > About Phone > Android Version. Then to claim the latest updates, go to Settings > System > Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions. DANGER PHONES The list of devices getting the patch includes: Protect your bank accounts: Enable Google's identity check today Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6a Pixel 7 Pixel 7 Pro Pixel 7a Pixel Tablet Pixel Fold Pixel 8 Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 8a Pixel 9 Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 9 Pro XL Pixel 9 Pro Fold Pixel 9 Pro Fold Pixel 9a Google hasn't revealed exactly what happens to victims of the attack. The company warned that one bug "may be under limited, targeted exploitation". But it typically avoids explaining exactly how attacks work – to prevent savvy crooks from taking advantage of it. 3 Make sure you update your Android phone regularly to get the best protections Credit: Google After all, it's unlikely that all potential targets will install the latest Android security fixes right away. Updating your phone is one of the best ways to keep it safe, as Google regularly dishes out security upgrades. And if your phone is so old that it no longer receives updates, that puts it in serious danger of being compromised by crooks. It's worth considering upgrading to a newer phone model that can get the latest upgrades – or hackers could take advantage of bugs that Google hasn't fixed on your mobile. DON'T DELAY! UPGRADE TODAY Here's what The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach has to say... I know, I know – another update! It seems like everything wants to update all of the time. Your phone, the apps, your living room telly, that smart toaster you got for Christmas. Updating everything constantly is a real pain – and that's great news for hackers. Digital crooks prey on people who don't bother updating their devices. Tech giants go to great lengths to close down bugs in their gadgets and apps – delivering the fixes to you over the internet in the form of updates. And if you're not installing those updates, you're not getting those protections. It's like a tech company is telling you that someone has stolen your key, and is offering you a free lock change. Only it's almost instant, and far easier to sort. If you don't take the update, the crooks can walk right in through your virtual front door. Depending on the severity of the bug, a crook could spy on you, steal your private info, and maybe even pilfer your cash or defraud you. It's just not worth the risk. Security updates are one of your best defences against hackers, and they don't cost you a penny. Plus you'll usually get some bonus features chucked into these updates too, so that's something to look forward to. Picture Credit: Sean Keach Google has also fixed a few non-security bugs for phone owners in the latest update too. For instance, Google users spotted a strange bug that was making the quality of WhatsApp microphone quality very poor. Google has fixed this, as well as some language issues and Bluetooth pairing problems for smartwatches. If you want to make your Android phone even safer, check for an important Google security trick now.
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Google warns millions of phone owners to check setting TODAY as crooks ‘targeting' victims with mystery attack right now
GOOGLE is urging millions of phone owners to update their devices as soon as possible. The company says it fixes dozens of security loopholes – some of which crooks may be using to " target " victims right now. 3 An important update is rolling out to millions of Android phones Credit: Google If you don't update your Android phone, you risk leaving your handset wide open to being attacked by cyber-criminals. Google even warned that for some of the most severe bugs, user interaction "is not needed for exploitation". That means you could be targeted even if you do nothing – you don't need to The only way to guarantee safety is to update your Android phone with the May fixes. Read more on Google Google's latest update includes two patches – named 2025-05-01 and 2025-05-05 – which include 28 and 22 security bug fixes respectively. "We encourage all customers to accept these updates to their devices," Google said. Google is rolling out the patches right now, which means you should see it appear on your phone in the coming hours. To check your phone's Android version, go to Settings > About Phone > Android Version. Most read in Phones & Gadgets Then to claim the latest updates, go to Settings > System > Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions. DANGER PHONES The list of devices getting the patch includes: Protect your bank accounts: Enable Google's identity check today Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6a Pixel 7 Pixel 7 Pro Pixel 7a Pixel Tablet Pixel Fold Pixel 8 Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 8a Pixel 9 Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 9 Pro XL Pixel 9 Pro Fold Pixel 9a Google hasn't revealed exactly what happens to victims of the attack. The company warned that one bug "may be under limited, targeted exploitation". But it typically avoids explaining exactly how attacks work – to prevent savvy crooks from taking advantage of it. 3 Make sure you update your Android phone regularly to get the best protections Credit: Google After all, it's unlikely that all potential targets will install the latest Android security fixes right away. Updating your phone is one of the best ways to keep it safe, as Google And if your phone is so old that it no longer receives updates, that puts it in serious danger of being compromised by crooks. It's worth considering upgrading to a newer phone model that can get the latest upgrades – or hackers could take advantage of bugs that Google hasn't fixed on your mobile. DON'T DELAY! UPGRADE TODAY Here's what The Sun's tech editor I know, I know – another update! It seems like everything wants to update all of the time. Your phone, the apps, your living room telly, that smart toaster you got for Christmas. Updating everything constantly is a real pain – and that's great news for hackers. Digital crooks prey on people who don't bother updating their devices. Tech giants go to great lengths to close down bugs in their gadgets and apps – delivering the fixes to you over the internet in the form of updates. And if you're not installing those updates, you're not getting those protections. It's like a tech company is telling you that someone has stolen your key, and is offering you a free lock change. Only it's almost instant, and far easier to sort. If you don't take the update, the crooks can walk right in through your virtual front door. Depending on the severity of the bug, a crook could spy on you, steal your private info, and maybe even pilfer your cash or defraud you. It's just not worth the risk. Security updates are one of your best defences against hackers, and they don't cost you a penny. Plus you'll usually get some bonus features chucked into these updates too, so that's something to look forward to. Picture Credit: Sean Keach Google has also fixed a few non-security bugs for phone owners in the latest update too. For instance, Google users spotted a strange bug that was making the quality of WhatsApp microphone quality very poor. Google has fixed this, as well as some language issues and Bluetooth pairing problems for smartwatches. If you want to make your Android phone even safer, check for an important Google security trick now. 3 Cyber-criminals love to target victims who don't regularly update their devices Credit: Alamy
