The US wireless carrier market is still consolidating. The acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile for $4.4 billion in cash and assumed debt was announced today. The two companies have stated that the magenta carrier is effectively purchasing "substantially all of UScellular's wireless operations".

UScellular customers will benefit from a "superior connectivity experience" and complete access to T-Mobile's "largest and fastest 5G network" in the nation following the acquisition's closing in mid-2025. This will eliminate the need for roaming when travelling outside of the UScellular coverage area.

According to TMo, UScellular customers will also be able to "fully participate" in the Un-carrier's "industry-leading value-packed plans filled with benefits and perks".

Customers of T-Mobile, however, will have access to UScellular's network in places where coverage was previously patchy. Additionally, they will gain from improved performance across UScellular's service area as a result of TMo's network incorporating the acquired spectrum.

The magenta carrier couldn't resist joining the irony bandwagon and asserting that the merger will somehow provide Americans with "enhanced choice and competition" despite reducing the number of carriers available to them.

Customers of UScellular will have the choice to continue with their present plans or switch at no additional cost to any unlimited T-Mobile plan of their choosing.

"With this deal T-Mobile can extend the superior Un-carrier value and experiences that we’re famous for to millions of UScellular customers and deliver them lower-priced, value-packed plans and better connectivity on our best-in-class nationwide 5G network. As customers from both companies will get more coverage and more capacity from our combined footprint, our competitors will be forced to keep up – and even more consumers will benefit. The Un-carrier is all about shaking up wireless for the good of consumers and this deal is another way for us to continue doing even more of that".

The CEO of UScellular, Laurent Therivel, stated:

"T-Mobile’s purchase and integration of UScellular’s wireless operations will provide best-in-class connectivity to rural Americans through enhanced nationwide coverage and service offerings at more compelling price points. The transaction provides our customers access to better coverage and speeds, as well as unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, content offers, device upgrades and other T-Mobile benefits".

[Source 1](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/uscellular-acquisition-operations-assets)

[Source 2](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uscellular-and-tds-announce-sale-of-wireless-operations-and-select-spectrum-assets-to-t-mobile-for-approximately-4-4-billion-in-cash-and-assumed-debt-302156390.html)

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UScellular to be acquired by T-Mobile for $4.4 billion .

Over the past few years, the flagship killers' specifications and prices have continued to rise. Poco unveiled the F6 Pro last week, which is the company's most expensive smartphone to date and acts as both the brand's flagship and its most recent offering in the flagship killer market.

We invite you to read our written review, in which we go into great detail. But if you'd prefer a condensed summary of our results, check out our recently released video review. So gather your favourite beverage and some popcorn, settle in, press Play, and enjoy the ride.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Qualcomm's most recent flagship chipset, is included with the Poco F6 Pro and is an intriguing option in and of itself. This year, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 will be used by many of its rivals, including the non-Pro F6, who will advertise it as a "flagship chipset"—a misnomer. On the other hand, the 8 Gen 2 is.

With a maximum brightness of 4,000 nits and a standard refresh rate of 120 Hz, the screen is as high-resolution as they come these days. HyperOS 1.0, the software, is based on Android 14. The three cameras on the back are a 50 MP OIS primary, with an 8 MP ultrawide and a 2 MP macro, which are obviously the places where some cost was cut.

There is no wireless charging, but the 5,000 mAh battery can be charged at 120W. However, the phone has specifications that allow for up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage—which, let's be honest, is uncommon for this price range. Regarding which, the Poco F6 Pro still has a very appealing one; have a look at the widget above.

[Source](https://www.gsmarena.com/our_poco_f6_pro_video_review_is_out-news-63040.php)

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Check out the video review of the Poco F6 Pro!

Later this month, Xiaomi has confirmed that it will launch its flagship 14 series smartphones outside of China. On Sunday, February 25, in Barcelona, the Xiaomi 14 series will make its world debut, one day before the start of the Mobile World Congress (MWC). We may anticipate the release of the eagerly awaited Xiaomi 14 Ultra based on the teases.

The teaser indicates that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the smaller Xiaomi 14 will be released together. Unfortunately, based on reports we've seen, the 14 Pro won't be available outside of China.

The teased "new generation of Leica optics, reaching new heights" on Xiaomi's official website is probably a reference to the main camera of the 14 Ultra, which is rumoured to have a wider variable aperture. The upcoming Xiaomi 14 Ultra is anticipated to feature four 50MP cameras with a Sony LYT-900 main sensor that has a faster f/1.6-f/4.0 variable aperture than the f/1.9-f/4.0 stop of the previous Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Android tablet is anticipated to join the Xiaomi 14 series.

[Source](https://www.mi.com/global/event/2024/xiaomi-launch-february-2024/)

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Xiaomi 14 will launch globally on February 25 image-1.png

Xiaomi 14 will launch globally on February 25.

The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple today, alleging that the business has illegally maintained a monopoly over the smartphone market by stifling competition, retaining customers, raising prices, and selectively placing contractual restrictions on developers.

Together with the 16 state and district attorneys it filed the lawsuit with, the DOJ claims that Apple "exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others."

In case you were curious, the green bubbles are indeed mentioned. As a matter of fact, one of the primary issues in the case is the repression of messaging quality between the iPhone and rival platforms.

It also addresses preventing third-party developers from building rival digital wallets with tap-to-pay features for iOS and restricting the functionality of third-party smartwatches on its iPhones, making it difficult for Apple Watch users to switch from the iPhone. Paradoxically, Apple was recently compelled by the EU's recently enacted Digital Markets Act to permit such third-party digital wallet functionality on iPhones; however, being Apple, the company only permitted this in the EU.

Additionally, Apple is charged with "disrupting" so-called "super apps"—imagine WeChat or Weixin in China for an idea of what we mean—which are applications that serve as shopping, payment, messaging, and even hubs for other apps simultaneously. It is rumoured that Apple deliberately took this action after realizing that permitting these apps would reduce "iOS stickiness" and facilitate users' transition to rival devices.

Another point is that Apple has been making unreasonable requests that limit the availability of cloud streaming apps for things like games (for example, every game should be submitted separately to Apple for its standard vetting process, even if it's a streaming title). It's said that this is being done to prevent users from running any game on extremely cheap hardware, which would reduce the need to buy a new iPhone every few years.

Jonathan Kanter, Chief of the DOJ Antitrust Division, stated:

“For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of ‘Whac-A-Mole’ contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies,”

In addition to prohibiting Apple from using "private APIs to undermine cross-platform technologies like messaging, smartwatches, and digital wallets," the DOJ is requesting that the US District Court for the District of New Jersey order Apple to cease "using its control of app distribution to undermine cross-platform technologies such as super apps and cloud streaming apps" and to stop "using the terms and conditions of its contracts with developers, accessory makers, consumers, or others to obtain, maintain, extend, or entrench a monopoly."

Apple's spokesman, Fred Sainz, gave the following response:

“The lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple — where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.”

[via](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/21/24105363/apple-doj-monopoly-lawsuit)

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Apple is being sued by the US Department of Justice for illegally controlling the smartphone market.

The Finnish manufacturer of phones bearing the Nokia brand, HMD Global, has formally taken down the mobile phone section of the Nokia website in a strategic move. The now-iconic “nokia.com/phones” link now leads to “hmd.com,” the recently launched official website of HMD Global.

With this action, Nokia mobile phones will no longer be available on the market. HMD Global is slated to release feature phones and smartphones under its own brand in the first half of this year, showcasing a new aesthetic. A tablet HMD T21, a number of low-end models, and the flagship model TA-1585 are notable examples of the products scheduled for release. These devices will deviate from the custom of using the Nokia brand by showcasing the HMD logo and design aesthetic.

In an interview, Kunwar clarified that HMD Global will keep working with Nokia, utilizing the company's technology and communications-related patents to improve the calibre of its goods. The goal of this strategic partnership is to offer consumers cutting-edge products and creative solutions.

Industry insiders see HMD Global's decision to shed its Nokia heritage and rebrand as a sensible and essential move. Nokia mobile phones have fallen from grace; they were once the market leaders. HMD Global understands that trying to keep the Nokia brand alive might just make customers feel disappointed and sorry for themselves rather than draw in new customers. HMD Global is attempting to define its qualities and advantages while escaping Nokia's confines in order to prosper in the cutthroat market.

With these new products, HMD Global intends to primarily target markets in Asia and India, while also bringing them to markets in the US and Europe. Vice president of HMD Global Ravi Kunwar highlighted the company's overarching goals, saying they hope to build a complete product ecosystem that includes tablets, smartphones, feature phones, IoT devices, and more, all of which will be enhanced by first-rate services and experiences.

Industry observers predict that HMD Global will carve out a unique identity, encourage innovation, and effectively compete in the dynamic mobile market as it changes its strategy. The change is a reflection of HMD Global's dedication to staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of mobile technology and adjusting to shifting consumer preferences.

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HMD Global Ends Nokia Mobile to Usher in a New Era

Lava revealed the ProWatch ZN and VN, their first smartwatches, yesterday along with a sneak peek at the ProWatch XN, which will be released soon. This smartwatch, which starts at INR 5,000 ($60), will be the most expensive model in the Lava ProWatch lineup.

The ProWatch XN will have a circular OLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 3, two control buttons, and a silicon band. As of right now, Lava has not released any more information about the ProWatch XN, but more information will undoubtedly become available soon.

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Lava's sneak peek at the ProWatch XN protected with Gorilla Glass 3.

Redmi K70 Pro Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse is a beauty construed with bunte of 24 GB RAM, 1 TB storage.

At the Redmi event, the smartphones K70e, K70, and K70 Pro were unveiled. The most expensive of them, in association with Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse, was also given a special edition.

Redmi collaborated with Lamborghini's racing division to produce the Redmi K70 Pro Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse Edition in honor of the company's tenth anniversary in the smartphone industry. It seems effortless to say, doesn't it?

There are three key differences between this high-end model and the standard K70 Pro, with the design being the most noticeable. Instead of being a rectangle, the camera island is an inverted convex pentagon. The remainder of the panel is still plastic, but the shape alludes to Lamborghini's angular lines. Underneath the protective panel, the carbon design and the two-tone green or yellow colors are just stickers.

The HyperOS interface of this limited edition will feature a unique Lamborghini Squadra Corse theme in terms of software. We presume that the Essenza SCV12, a track-only hypercar with a V12 engine, which is featured in promo photos, is also included in the theme

This isn't your standard Lamborghini design, unlike a certain smartphone from over five years ago called the Oppo Find X.

The internal components of this specially crafted Redmi K70 Pro are identical to those of the standard model, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, quick LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, and 120W charging for the 5,000 mAh battery.

The device will only be available with 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, which is the last distinction. The cost has not yet been disclosed, and it seems unlikely that this version will ever leave China.

[Source](https://weibo.com/3021514657/NuQoaEXH8)