The AppAdvice Tech Week in Review: New Carrier Plans Ahead of 'iPhone 7' Announcement
As the sun begins to set on summer, the tech world readies for the next iPhone release. This week, three of the four largest carriers in the United States announced new data plans. Elsewhere, we made our final “iPhone 7” predictions. Here’s our look back at the week that was.
Top News Stories
New carrier plans announced, all with limits
On Thursday, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile each announced new data plans.
AT&T’s Mobile Share Advantage plans eliminate overages fees. However, they also raise the monthly cost of each device on your plan. These data plans begin at $30 per month (plus a $20 per month access fee).
Sprint’s new unlimited plan, called Unlimited Freedom, offers customers unlimited talk, text, and “optimized streaming video” for $60 per month for a single line. T-Mobile’s new One plan, meanwhile, offers unlimited 4G LTE access with no data caps, and includes unlimited calling and texting, too. The monthly charge is $70.
The fine print. With Sprint’s Unlimited Freedom plan, music streaming is limited to 500kpbs and gaming to 2Mbps. Over at T-Mobile, One subscribers have to settle for standard definition video, 480p quality. To get HD video, you’ll need to cough up an additional $25 per month.
Prediction time
This week, we offered our predictions for Apple’s fall event, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Also making news:
- Apple Joins Forces With AT&T, Google and More to Combat ‘Robocalls’
- The ‘Apple Watch 2’ Will Feature Built-In GPS, Other Fitness Improvements
- Australia’s 3 Biggest Banks Want Their Own Wallets on iOS
- Reliable Source: Expect ‘iPhone 7’, Not ‘iPhone Pro’
- Expect 256GB ‘iPhone 7’ and A11-Equipped 2017 iPhone Handsets
On the App Store
This week, Google unveiled Duo, a FaceTime alternative that works on iOS and Android.
Other apps news:
Get the apps:
In Review
Christine Chan reviews new App Store titles
Christine added five new titles to our review library this week, including the newest game from the makers of Hitman and the next-generation Castro podcast app:
- It’s Time to Get Hooked on the Zelda-esque Legend of the Skyfish
- Hack and Augment Your Way Through a Conspiracy in Deus Ex GO
- Castro 2 Brings a New Way to Manage Your Favorite Podcasts
- Fractions Can Be Fun in Diffission, a Mathematical Puzzle Game
- Save the Kingdom as You Journey Below in Ravenous Games’ New Title
Accessory News and Reviews
This week, Brent Dirks published AppAdvice’s Ultimate Back to School Accessory Guide, Part 2.
Other accessory news:
Come back to AppAdvice each day for the latest news in technology.