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Recent speed tests showed T-Mobile's network posting download speeds higher than 500Mbps using License Assisted Access (LAA) LTE in New York City. Now AT&T's network has done the same thing in Chicago.
Speed tests conducted by PCMag show AT&T's LTE network putting up speeds of 537Mbps in downtown Chicago. The test was conducted using a retail Galaxy S9 on AT&T's regular LTE network, which included LAA small cell sites. They aggregating 15MHz of LTE Band 2 with 60MHz of LAA coverage.
While 537Mbps was the top download speed that the Galaxy S9 achieved, PCMag was able to get some pretty respectable speeds in other locations. This includes 273Mbps down at Kinzie and Dearborn in River North and an average of 424.2Mbps near the Merchandise Mart.
AT&T began deploying LAA in Indianapolis late last year, and since then it's been deployed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, too. AT&T plans to roll out LAA in 24 cities in 2018.
You will need a phone that supports LAA to take advantage of the improved coverage. Devices like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 support LAA, as does the Galaxy Note 8, LG V30, and Moto Z2 Force Edition.
LAA is another way that U.S. carriers are bolstering their 4G LTE networks while they begin building out their 5G coverage. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are deploying LAA, which utilizes unlicensed 5GHz spectrum. LAA coverage doesn't reach very far, but for devices within range of a small cell site, it can help to offer seriously faster speeds.
Hit the source link below for more details on AT&T's LAA coverage and speeds in Chicago.
Apple released iOS 11.3 today, and along with a slew of other fun additions, the update includes a new feature: Health Records. If you're a patient within certain health systems -- like Duke, NYU Langone, Stanford and Yale -- you can view your medical records on your iPhone.
Source: Apple, Apple | Health Records feature
Instagram and Snapchat completely removed Giphy stickers from their apps after finding racist GIFs, but the feature is now ready to come back... on Instagram, that is. The photo-centric social network has restored stickers after Giphy said it "made specific changes to our [moderation] process" to prevent a repeat incident. Snapchat hadn't made a similar move as of this writing (it reiterated its earlier position in a statement to TechCrunch), but it may be just a matter of time if the company is satisfied with Giphy's response.
Source: TechCrunch
The Razer Phone launched late last year with Android 7.1 Nougat, and owners may be wondering when they'll get their Oreo update. Today Razer shed some light on its update plans.
Razer says that it plans to skip Android 8.0 and go straight to Android 8.1 on the Razer Phone. The update will launch in mid to late April.
If you don't feel like waiting a month to get Oreo on your Razer Phone, you can try the update right now by flashing Razer's Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview. Keep in mind that flashing this factory image will wipe all of the data on your Razer Phone and that, because this is pre-release software, the update will contain bugs.
Attention Razer Phone owners! We’re making the jump straight to Android 8.1 Oreo and we’re pleased to announce that the update will be coming to you mid to late April 2018.
Want in on the milk and cookies early? Download the Developer Preview now. https://t.co/4ftaevUT4x pic.twitter.com/SIvzOQQDQo
— R Λ Z Ξ R (@Razer) March 29, 2018
Also of note is that the Android 8.1 Developer Preview may not contain all carrier-specific features like VoLTE, enhanced voicemail, and Wi-Fi Calling support. Finally, there will be no over the air (OTA) updates for the official Android 8.1 Oreo release. So if you flash this Developer Preview, you will have to also manually flash the official Android 8.1 release when it becomes available.
Some Razer Phone owners may be frustrated about waiting another month for their Oreo update, but at least then they'll be on the absolute latest and greatest version of Android. It's good to see Razer being transparent about its update plans and even offering a preview of its Android 8.1 update for developers and eager Razer Phone owners that don't mind dealing with some bugs in exchange for getting to try their Oreo update early.
In iOS 11.3 (and macOS 10.13.5), Apple has introduced a new data and privacy feature where users can get a better understanding of how their data is used. Now whenever Apple asks for access to information to enable certain features or experiences, a privacy icon will appear -- two blue silhouettes shaking hands -- along with detailed privacy info for those who want to learn about what's being done with their data.
Apple is updating nearly all of its operating systems today. Alongside the newest iOS 11.3, the company has released new versions for its tvOS, WatchOS and HomePod, which is getting its first post-launch update. Unfortunately, the hotly-anticipated AirPlay 2 is nowhere to be found.
Via: 9to5Mac, AppleInsider
Source: Apple
