LG hopes to revitalise phone business, hands reins to TV division boss

Despite releasing numerous handsets each year, LG's phone business has lost considerable traction with consumers of late, unable to grasp the kind of buzz typically reserved for a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 or Google Pixel 3 launch.

But that could all change, with the announcement that Brian Kwon, current president of LG’s hugely successful home entertainment company, has been placed in charge of the South Korean electronics giant's mobile communications division.

"Mr Kwon played a critical role in transforming LG’s TV, audio and PC business into category leaders and his knowledge and experience in the global marketplace will be instrumental in continuing LG’s mobile operations turnaround," said LG's statement on the decision.

LG's position as a leader in the TV market is undeniable, with its OLED range considered by many to be 'best in class' products – it'll be interesting to see if Kwon's involvement in the company's smartphone business will be able to bring about a similar level of success. 

2018 saw the company release two flagship smartphones, with the LG G7 ThinQ and LG V40 ThinQ receiving decent, if unremarkable 3.5 star scores in our comprehensive reviews.

• LG could unveil a foldable phone in early 2019

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/lg-hopes-to-revitalise-phone-business-hands-reins-to-tv-division-boss

The iPhone XR is outselling both the XS and XS Max, according to Apple

While it was the last 2018 iPhone to be released out the latest trio of Apple handsets, the Cupertino giant claims that its (relatively) affordable iPhone XR is a roaring success, selling the most number of units out of any of its phones since their launch.

In an interview with CNET, Apple vice president Greg Joswiak said that the iPhone XR had been the company’s “most popular iPhone each and every day since the day it became available”.

Although it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, it’s likely that the comment on the iPhone XR’s performance was in response to recent reports that Apple cut production orders on its three flagship devices – the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Among the possible reasons for the XR’s success is its seemingly low price ($749) when compared to its eye-wateringly expensive siblings, which start at $999 and $1,099, making them Apple’s most expensive handsets to date.

It’s also worth noting that the XS and XS Max aren’t true successors to the iPhone X but are, instead, considered refinements on last year’s all-screen flagship, which could make the XR sales seem impressive by comparison.

Considering the recent statement from Apple that it will no longer share information on the number of units sold, this statement from Joswiak is the only official word we have on how any of the new iPhones are selling.

Without actual figures, all we know for sure is that the iPhone XR is going out the door faster than both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but we can’t say just how fast that really is.

• Find out why the iPhone XR is worth buying in our review

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/the-iphone-xr-is-outselling-both-the-xs-and-xs-max-according-to-apple

T-Mobile MONEY uncovered as a banking competitor

For those who are unbanked, but feel like they can trust T-Mobile with their financial interests might be getting some back. 4% APY worth, actually.

The post T-Mobile MONEY uncovered as a banking competitor appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/t-mobile-money-uncovered

LG Mobile gets third leader in three years

Kwon takes over for Hwang Jeon-hwan in the mobile division. Hwang only held the leadership position for just one year. It's been a rough few years at LG.

The post LG Mobile gets third leader in three years appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/lg-mobile-new-ceo-brian-kwon

Spotify expanding in Middle East, Africa, maybe even India

With more than 1 billion potential customers in the subcontinent, Spotify will have an uphill challenge when it starts from zero.

The post Spotify expanding in Middle East, Africa, maybe even India appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/spotify-middle-east-africa-maybe-india

T-Mobile quietly launches site for mobile banking service

Shortly after Cyber Monday, T-Mobile quietly unveiled the website for its mobile banking service. Yes, that’s right, the self-described “Un-Carrier” can store and lend you money - and you’ll get bonus benefits if you’re already signed up with T-Mobile.

The service, called T-Mobile Money, works like a traditional bank since it’s backed by one: BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank. That grants T-Money subscribers physical access points through the about 55,000 AllPoint ATMs around the world. 

T-Mobile Money is promising reduced overhead, like zero account or maintenance fees, nor are subscribers required to have a minimum balance. They also promise 1% APY on all balances. 

If you’re a T-Mobile subscriber, you can get up to 4% APY so long as your checking account balances are at or below $3,000 and deposit at least $200 per month. Either way, only those with US addresses can sign up - at least for now.

Unfortunately, the digital-only service has caveats, including the inability to simply deposit cash into their accounts. You’ll have to get a money order or cashier’s check and use the mobile deposit feature or simply deposit cash into another bank and transfer it over to your T-Mobile Money account, per to 9to5Google.

Further, T-Mobile Money is really just putting the telecom’s name on an existing BankMobile product, as Android Police points out. Unless you’re already a T-Mobile subscriber, there’s not too good a reason to switch over.

The T-Mobile Money website was quietly launched today without any fanfare from the company, and it was discovered when support for the mobile banking service was added to Google Pay, according to 9to5Google. It’s also supported by Samsung Pay.

• Looking for an unlimited data plan? Here are the best to choose from.

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/t-mobile-quietly-launches-site-for-mobile-banking-service

All you need to know about the new Google Fi

If you're looking to try Project Fi, now known as Google Fi, here are all the details on the phones you can buy or bring to the network.

The post All you need to know about the new Google Fi appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/google-fi-need-to-know