Project Fi

Google’s Project Fi cellular service has gotten better and better since its launch, but mistakes have certainly been made along the way. Right now, Google is facing a lawsuit from a user who says his bill was enormous because Google was charging for data he used over Wi-Fi.
Project Fi kicked off the year with what is effectively an $80 unlimited plan. Heading into February, the Google MVNO is now offering a promotion that drops the Moto X4 to $249 and 2016’s Pixel XL to $549.
Found in Allo, Gmail, and Inbox, Smart Reply is a convenient time saver that suggests responses based on the context of a conversation. Today, the feature is rolling out to Project Fi subscribers who use Android Messages.
Thanks to poor components, Google has had to deal with continually replacing Nexus 5X units for Project Fi subscribers who bought the device. For a short time, those replacements were Moto X4 devices, but that’s quickly stopped.
Remember the Nexus 5X? That was an excellent phone for a fair bit, and then it suddenly wasn’t thanks to failing components which eventually caused it to fly under the radar. For good reason, Google has long been handing out replacements for this device to frustrated owners, but it’s recently started doing so with the Moto X4.
While Google’s MVNO service is perfect for subscribers that only use a little bit of data every month, it’s not particularly suited for heavy data users. However, today, Project Fi is trying to reach out to more customers with “Bill Protection” — its own take on an unlimited plan.
One of the best parts of Google’s MVNO service is the flat fee for data anywhere around the world. This frequently advertised aspect is currently in the midst of a widespread outage, with Google aware of the issue but having no ETA for a possible fix.
Like with the original Pixel phones, Google last year released a special edition “Kinda Blue” variant that was limited at launch in the U.S. to Verizon. Today, that color is now available as an Unlocked model on the Google Store and through Project Fi.
One of the central tenants of Android One is fast updates and the Moto X4 that launched earlier this year for Project Fi was included in the update promise. Meeting an end of the year guarantee, 8.0 Oreo is now beginning to rollout for the device.
Back in September, the Google Store and Project Fi unveiled a trade-in program to get credits towards a new device. However, one critique that quickly emerged was the flimsy packaging Google was sending out to ship phones back for appraisal. Weeks later, Google has finally remedied the situation.
As is tradition, Project Fi is again gifting a “holiday treat” for subscribers of the Google MVNO service. The interactive experience for 2017 is a fun ski game that’s coupled with an in-flight Wi-Fi code.
As part of Black Friday last week, Project Fi launched a deal on the Android One Moto X4 that nabbed subscribers $100 worth of credit that goes towards their monthly bill. On Cyber Monday, the Google MVNO has extended this offer to the Pixel 2 line and last year’s Pixel XL.
After launching a referral challenge for the holidays last week, Project Fi is hosting a Black Friday deal on the Moto X4. The Android One device is the cheapest way to get service from Google’s MVNO and now comes with a $100 Fi credit that goes towards your monthly bill.
Over the past year, Google’s Project Fi MVNO has made use of various referral programs to attract new subscribers, as well as reward existing ones. The latest “Fi it Forward” challenge offers a chance to win a Chromecast and an Android One Moto X4.
Announced last month, Project Fi was expected to begin shipping the Moto X4 for those who pre-ordered sometime this week. However, the first Android One device in the US has now been delayed due to production issues.
This afternoon multiple Project Fi users took to Twitter to complain that they had received a notification from Project Fi that the carrier would begin throttling their data due to “excessive data usage.” Project Fi was quick to reply to each user and apologize for the mistake. Now the carrier has taken to Reddit to give an official explanation…
Last week, the Google Store and Project Fi launched a trade-in program that provides credits towards buying a new phone. The process involves shipping your old device in for appraisal before being credited. However, the first customers have discovered that Google’s “trade-in kit” appears to provide minimal protection during transit.
Alongside today’s announcement and launch of Android One in the US, Google’s Project Fi is also introducing a trade-in program that’ll allow users to send in old devices to receive a credit that can be used to purchase a new phone. Based on a new support page, it appears that a similar program is coming to the Google Store, potentially in time for the Pixel 2 launch…
Back in June, Project Fi unceremoniously announced via Twitter that a mid-tier device that supports Google’s MVNO service would be coming soon. This was in line with our reporting from earlier in the year that noted the existence of such a phone with Android One branding and how it’s possibly the 2017 Moto X.
Today, Google confirmed that the Moto X4 announced last month at IFA 2017 will be the first non-Nexus or Pixel device to officially work on Project Fi.
In its lifetime, the Nexus 6P has suffered from a spate of issues ranging from bootloops to early battery shutdowns. As such, owners have had to replace their phones, with some having to repeat the process several times. About a week ago, Google appears to have begun shipping Pixel XLs as replacement devices for affected customers.
While Hurricane Harvey made landfall over the weekend, the impact of the natural disaster is still ongoing for the people of Texas and surrounding areas. Google and their philanthropic arm has launched a number of efforts in response, including offering Project Fi credits for those in affected regions.
Project Fi, Google’s own mobile carrier, piggy backs on T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular networks to bring cheap data plans and an easy-to-use interface when dealing with data usage and bill payments. Its biggest downside, though, is the limited number of compatible phones.
Once several new phones are announced this fall, which device would you buy to use on Project Fi?
Last December, Project Fi announced a referral program that netted referrers and new customers a $20 credit towards their monthly bill. The Google MVNO is now significantly expanding the program with a new Referral Challenge that adds prizes to the mix.
Project Fi’s phenomenal customer service (for a cellular carrier) was on display this past weekend over an issue with data usage reporting. Some users did not get an accurate idea of how much data they consumed during a one month period ending in mid-July. To remedy the problem, Google is awarding credits to cover any unattended usage…