One of the most promising features of recent PCs running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors is Microsoft's "Always Connected" Windows experience. That is, as long as a data connection is available. That's about to become much easier, and cheaper, thanks to a new Sprint promotion that offers free unlimited 4G LTE through the rest of 2018.
T-Mobile and Sprint have announced plans to merge, with the two US carriers combining for a concerted push into 5G. The deal, which has been rumored for some time though gained extra traction at the tail-end of last week, will see T-Mobile US CEO John Legere leading a new T-Mobile. The deal values Sprint at approximately $59 billion, and will be worth $26bn in stock.
A Sprint and T-Mobile merger is once again in the works, according to new sources. This isn't the first time we've heard this rumor, but latest claims say we could be getting an official announcement as soon as this Sunday. The deal is reportedly valued at $26 billion, though the sources caution that the two carriers haven't actually signed a deal and it may not ultimately be finalized.
Sprint is getting ready to launch an unlimited plan specifically for older adults, according to a new report, giving anyone age 55 or older the option of getting two lines at a generous discount compared to the ordinary Unlimited option. The new option would follow a similar plan recently launched by T-Mobile, that one also offering seniors a discount over regular rates.
Back in November of 2017 we took a look at a bit of legislation from the FCC that'd all but destroy the program called Lifeline. Lifeline was created all the way back during the Reagan administration to help the poor afford telephone service. The FCC during the W Bush administration updated Lifeline to include wireless internet, then the FCC during Obama's presidency updated Lifeline to include broadband. Now the Trump FCC wants to gut Lifeline like a fish.
For a few weeks now, we've been waiting on Samsung to push Android Oreo out to the Galaxy Note 8. At the beginning of the month, the update passed through Google's certification process, letting us know that a release date was getting close. It would appear that day is today, with a number of users reporting that they're receiving prompts to install the update.
The Galaxy S9 is here at last, and with its status as a flagship device, it obviously costs a decent bit of cash. While the Galaxy S9 doesn't match something like the iPhone X in terms of pricing, the Galaxy S9+ does come close, which puts just how expensive this phone can be into perspective. Luckily for anyone who wants to make the Galaxy S9 or S9+ their daily driver, all four major carries in the US are running promotional offers on this new device.
Today is a big day for Samsung and Android fans in general, as the Galaxy S9 is being launched in 70 different regions around the world. This kicks off a worldwide launch that will see the Galaxy S9 and its big brother, the Galaxy S9+, available in more than 110 countries by month's end. Unfortunately, whatever hope Samsung had for a smooth launch has quickly gone down the drain.
Two-factor authentication or 2FA is definitely a lot better than a naked password, but not all 2FA methods are created equal. SMS, which is actually the default many 2FA systems use, has been criticized for being more of a liability than a security option. Now the four major US carriers, often viciously competing with other, are now working together to develop a 2FA platform that will rely on your phone, phone number, and other factors, so that you will rely on them rather than third-party apps for your 2FA needs.
Sprint will start taking Galaxy S9 and S9+ preorders on March 2, but ahead of that it has detailed the deals it has planned. The company boasts plans to offer the latest Samsung flagship Galaxy phones at the lowest monthly device rate of any major carrier, at least when it comes to offers that don't require a down payment. Non-Sprint customers who switch can save up to $500 off the S9 or S9+.
Sprint has announced the six cities in the pipeline to get its 5G network, and as expected they're all large markets. The carrier will start by offering its customers in three cities access to "5G-like" network experiences this year, expanding to cover another three major regions larger on in 2018. This comes ahead of Sprint's planned 5G rollout in the first half of 2019.
![Galaxy S9 price details: Verizon, T-Mobile, unlocked, more [Updated]](https://c.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/samsung-galaxy-s9-65-1-980x620.jpg)
Samsung has officially taken the wraps off the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, and now the carriers are weighing in with just how much it'll cost to put one in your pocket. As usual, the deals vary according to your network of choice, whether you're activating a new line or upgrading, and whether you want the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9 or the larger, 6.2-inch Galaxy S9+. Read on for all the details.