Everybody knows that using cellphones indoors can be a mixed bag: you might get lots of signal strength outside (standing in the rain) but once you step inside (where it might be, say, warm and dry) calls might drop, data services might crumble, and messages might not get through. To combat poor in-home and in-building reception, mobile operators have been introducing femtocells: small extensions of the cell phone network that improve reception in a small area (like a home) so users can feel comfortable ditching their landlines and relying on mobile devices for…well, everything. Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile all have offerings on the table; now, AT&T looks to be joining the fray—with the crucial different being that its 3G Microcell will support multiple cell phones and support 3G data services.
Like other femtocell devices, the AT&T 3G Microcell covers an area of about 5,000 square feet, and connects back to AT&T’s network through an existing broadband Internet connection. The system will support up to four simultaneous phone users, complete with 3G data services. The device can be secured so it only works for authorized users (no worries about someone leaning against your outside wall and tapping into your cell service, and users will be able to transfer seamlessly between the Microcell and AT&T’s primary network without interruption: so walking inside (or outside) while on a call won’t cause a drop.
The 3G data service offered by the femtocell may not be very appealing to AT&T customers considering the device: after all, if they already have home broadband they probably have in-home Wi-Fi and a Wi-Fi capable mobile device, so their data needs are already met. The major improvement would come with improved voice service and quality, and AT&T would benefit from offloading a potentially large amount of voice calling—lots of people spend their quality phone time at home—to broadband operators, rather than carrying it on its mobile network.
AT&T is currently offering the 3G Microcell in a public trail in Charlotte, North Carolina, but there’s no word yet on when AT&T plans to market the femtocell in other areas.
Motorola has built some of my favorite foldables and flagship phones. I had a great time with both the Razr Fold and last year's Signature. So when the company began teasing the Signature 27, I couldn't help be excited. The new model comes with Qualcomm's blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, and better still, it is finally getting a proper global release.
One of the reasons I was obsessed with the last-gen Signature was its amazing price tag. But it seems like that budget flagship dream might be officially dead. Portuguese retailer MegaPC has prematurely listed a 12GB RAM and 512GB storage Signature 27 in Pantone Coal Smoke for €1,594.90 (approx. $1,775).
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.