Following last week’s initial tweet parade during the Pixel 6 launch event, Google today gave another look at new Material You widgets for Android 12.
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In addition to blocking spam and offering a built-in VPN, Google Fi will soon gain end-to-end encrypted voice calls. There are, however, some notable requirements to use this capability.
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In opening pre-orders for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro on Tuesday, Google Fi also announced that its 5G coverage is expanding “over the coming months” in both the US and internationally.
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For the past few years, Google’s MVNO has long offered a built-in virtual private network as part of its monthly subscription. The Google Fi VPN is now rolling out to iPhone users.
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Besides the Google Store, the only other stateside retailer selling the Pixel 5a with 5G is Google Fi. You can buy the Pixel 5a directly through the MVNO, or take advantage of Google Fi Phone subscription.
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The Google Fi app this evening featured an inadvertent reference to the “Pixel 5a (5G).” This leak indirectly revealed how much Google’s upcoming phone will cost, and that it will be available for purchase as part of the MVNO’s “Phone subscription” program.
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Last week, Google Fi started selling Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 with a notable $400 credit that goes towards your monthly bill. With that new addition, the Google MVNO also changed its promotion eligibility terms to allow old Fi subscribers to take advantage of deals meant for “new” customers.
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Following the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G at the end of last month, Google Fi has stopped selling the $349 Pixel 4a today. It went out of stock earlier this week and has since been delisted.
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The Google Fi store is primarily filled with Samsung devices, and the latest one to be added is the Galaxy Z Flip 3. This reflects how foldables are becoming less niche, though the Fold 3 is absent and likely still too expensive.
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An ongoing issue with Google Fi sees some subscribers unable to call poison control in certain scenarios. The company is aware of the problem and actively investigating.
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Over the past weeks, we’ve been tracking how stock of Made by Google’s 2020 lineup has been running low at both the Google Store and various retailers. After being sold out for the most of this month, the first-party Google Fi store today delisted the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G.
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The experience of using an iPhone on Fi has come a long way from when it was not officially supported but still worked during the “Project” days to today, where it’s advertised (though 5G does not yet work). That said, iPhone owners on Google Fi yesterday received a random text message yesterday, but there should be nothing to worry about.
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At the start of May, Visible customers noticed that they weren’t able to call those on Google Fi. This issue with the Verizon MVNO has now been resolved in a rather unexpected issue for this day and age.
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The latest phone available on Google Fi is the Samsung A32 5G as the MVNO, like all other carriers, continues its 5G adoption push.
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Google is today marking the sixth anniversary of its MVNO carrier with a new plan that brings the number of total offerings up to three. “Simply Unlimited” is joining Google Fi’s “Flexible” and the just-renamed “Unlimited Plus” plans.
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On iOS, Fi subscribers can check their voicemail through the companion app. An update to Google Fi earlier this week introduces a new “Privacy Screen” feature to lock those messages and other sensitive information with Face or Touch ID.
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Back in October, Google detailed how it would move users of its previous messaging app to alternate services in 2021. As part of the migration, Google has shut down classic Hangouts integration with both Google Voice and Fi.
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An issue with Google Fi group messaging sees MMS replies annoyingly being sent as individual texts. The problem emerged over the past day with both iPhone and Android subscribers affected.
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It emerged yesterday that from next month, T-Mobile will sell web and app usage information to advertisers unless subscribers manually opt out. Google tells us today that this T-Mobile change to how data is used will not apply to Fi customers.
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Last week, the first Pixel 5a rumors emerged revealing an existing design. The familiar device in question is now down to $449 on the Google Store with the Fi MVNO bringing back a past Pixel 4a 5G promotion.
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Motorola offers the most affordable phones on Google’s MVNO with a trio of devices launching this week. Google Fi is also introducing a promo where new Unlimited plan customers can get 50% off their first three months of service.
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Google’s MVNO has offered a virtual private network since the service had “project” in its name. As part of Safer Internet Day, the Google Fi VPN will soon be available for iPhone subscribers.
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Google’s monthly update on Monday primarily addressed the Pixel 4a 5G’s edge touch recognition issues. However, the February security patch also added support for T-Mobile Standalone (SA) 5G on that phone and the Pixel 5.
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With some distance from the holidays, Google is bringing back a popular deal where new Fi subscribers can get the Pixel 4a 5G for $299. Meanwhile, existing MVNO members can get the phone for $100 off.
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