True or false: If your phone’s got all four reception bars lit up and it’s displaying the 5G symbol, you’ve got A+ service.
The answer? False. When you see “5G,” all it means is there are 5G connections nearby. Whether you’re on that network is another story. I know, eye roll. Cell service bars don’t mean much, either.
So, should we stop waving our phones in the air to try to get a better connection? I’ve got the inside scoop.
The Washington Post just wrote a great piece about the 5G indicator on your phone. Even when you see 5G, you might really be connected to 4G or LTE. Yes, your phone will still work perfectly fine.
When you start doing something more intensive on your phone, though, like making a video call or playing an online game, your wireless network may automatically switch you to 5G for a better experience.
How do you know you’re really on 5G? Look for the letters next to the 5G icon. On Verizon, 5G UW means you’re likely connected to a 5G network. On T-Mobile, it’ll show up as 5G UC. AT&T displays 5G E, but that just means you’re close to a network.
Even the alphabet soup doesn’t guarantee your connection is supercharged.
If walking around looking for reception bars isn’t the solution, what is? Some of the ol’ free standbys still work.
By the way, you may notice you get better cell service in the winter, when all the trees are bare. I know, you can’t make the leaves fall, but this is good to know!
If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.
🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Open/download audioThere’s been so much talk lately about 5G coming in 2019. Compared to 4G, 5G is 20 times faster. It’s also going to revolutionize communication. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the impact 5G is going to have on our technology and it’s more than just faster speeds on our smartphones.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is your car bricked? Since AT&T killed off 3G over two years ago, owners of 2014 to 2019 Volkswagens with VW Car-Net services have been in analog, so to speak. Without wireless connectivity, they no longer have features like remote start, emergency assistance or antitheft alerts. Volkswagen still doesn’t have a fix, and some 3G-reliant Hyundai and Nissan models are screwed, too. Cars with 4G should have until at least 2035. PSA: Check the connectivity specs before you buy, folks.
While some corners of the country are vehemently debating the dangers of 5G mobile technology, a much older mobile signal poses an actual threat to Android and iOS phones.
As technology moves ahead with better delivery, coverage and download speeds, the spectrum will inevitably become too crowded or outdated to accommodate them all. Before 5G, 4G, and LTE, the most common mobile connections were 3G and its predecessor, 2G.
While you don’t always need the latest and greatest tech gadgets, there are times when the need to upgrade is essential. This is the case for many people, with cellular networks phasing out the 3G standard. Older smartphones will lose most of their essential functions, including the ability to make and receive calls and texts.
Amazon’s Kindle eBook reader has been a huge success since its launch. No longer having to carry hefty books with you on vacation, you can cram thousands of electronic versions onto a small device.
When they first launched, the Kindle connected to the internet through mobile networks. This allows you to purchase and download more books from the Kindle repository. As newer and more technologically advanced mobile networks emerged, so too did the Kindle.
The topic of 5G has been a hot one lately — and for good reason. Who doesn’t want lightning speed data?
But with the excitement also comes questions that you need answers to. After all, smartphones are the primary way most of us communicate, and this 5G rollout will change the way we use data, download apps and make calls.
Whether you’re working remotely, trying to stay connected with family and friends or just looking for important news updates, you need a reliable way to get online.
The major strain on internet networks right now means your home connection may not be as strong as it once was. What can you do if your internet is spotty?
Just think, not so long ago, you likely adorned your home with a garish stand-up lamp, rotary dial telephone and a stereo with speakers two feet tall. While you expect these items to change from generation to generation, rapid advancements in tech over the last two decades have made many of these gadgets obsolete.
