Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Streets of Rage 4, Super Onion Boy 2, Botanicula, more - Related to explained:, more, all-hands, app, boy

T-Mobile and Starlink satellite connectivity explained: What you need to know

In August 2022, T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a bold plan to expand cellular connectivity across the US with the help of low-orbit satellites. Fast-forward to 2025, and the T-Mobile Starlink service is now rolling out to everyone, even AT&T and Verizon users.

T-Mobile says its satellite service extends connectivity to over 500,000 square miles of the US without traditional cell coverage. These areas include national parks, uninhabitable deserts and mountain ranges, and even territorial waters. Traditional surface-level cell towers cannot cover most of these regions, so T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Device (D2D) capabilities to deliver connectivity to phones.

The benefits of satellite connectivity are clear. You get consistent coverage regardless of terrain, and it acts as a safety net for consumers who find themselves traveling through less populated areas. So, in this article, let’s break down T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX and its bold plan to link your smartphone with Starlink satellites in the sky.

What is T-Mobile and SpaceX’s satellite partnership all about?

In a nutshell, T-Mobile and SpaceX will use low-orbit satellites, over 200 miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour, to improve cellular coverage on existing 5G smartphones across the United States.

, over half a million square miles of the country don’t get any cell signal whatsoever. Reasons for lack of coverage can vary — for example, carriers cannot build infrastructure in protected land or oceans. Satellite connectivity makes coverage possible in these regions.

Having mentioned that, satellite connectivity isn’t exactly a new concept, so why is T-Mobile and SpaceX’s partnership such a big deal? Well, it’s because you don’t need a dedicated satellite phone to use it. The carrier indicates that “the vast majority of smartphones” will be compatible with the service. In other words, you won’t have to buy extra equipment or a new device to take advantage of satellite connectivity on T-Mobile.

Thanks to T-Mobile's partnership with SpaceX, you won't need a bulky satellite phone to send text messages while off the grid.

As for how it works, SpaceX will use its Starlink satellites to broadcast a new network using T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum. More specifically, it will use the 1900MHz spectrum that’s part of the carrier’s 4G, and now 5G, network. This requires new satellite technology, called Direct to Device capabilities. The first satellites with the the technology launched in early 2024, as noted by an official press release from T-Mobile. For now the new method is still undergoing testing.

It’s essential to note that satellite connectivity will only be offered when you don’t have a cell tower nearby. This ensures that the service remains available to those in need. That’s the big selling point for satellite-to-phone right now — emergency connectivity for those living in or traveling through underserved areas.

What can you do with satellite connectivity on T-Mobile?

To begin with, the T-Mobile Starlink satellite connectivity service will allow customers to send text messages (including picture messages). The business also hopes to add voice and data connectivity in the future. That mentioned, developers of WhatsApp and similar services will have to optimize their apps to ensure that they work with the network.

Another thing about satellites is that you can’t necessarily expect messages to go through instantly. You also need to be in full view of the sky, as light obstructions like tree cover will increase the delay.

If you want to know which areas are covered under the service, you can check out the T-Mobile Starlink coverage map here. The Un-carrier is also collaborating with global roaming partners and SpaceX to offer satellite services to consumers when traveling abroad or in international waters in the future.

Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon users who want to continue using T-Mobile Starlink will be able to do so by paying $20 per month without switching carriers.

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T-Mobile's rumored all-hands meeting next Sunday might lead to a big change

T-Mobile employee, T-Mobile is expected to announce that Tapestry, the carrier's in-house customer relationship management (CRM) system will be replaced by the T-Life app.

, next Sunday, February 16th, the carrier will have an all-hands meeting . This means that a significant percentage of employees will be involved which also hints at the importance of whatever is going to be discussed. ,is expected to announce that Tapestry, the carrier's in-house customer relationship management (CRM) system will be replaced by the T-Life app.

Is T-Mobile considering moving clients away from retail stores to conduct business using the T-Life app?

T-Mobile Experience stores are designed to maximize customer interaction with highly trained "Mobile Experts." These stores feature interactive displays, demo centers, and certain areas of the stores are reserved for testing out phones and other devices. What Connect_Corner_2089 hints at in his posts is a lot more scary to T-Mobile employees than simply replacing the use of one CRM system for an app. He writes, "If you’re not in an Experience store you probably want to start applying to other jobs."Experience stores are designed to maximize customer interaction with highly trained "Mobile Experts." These stores feature interactive displays, demo centers, and certain areas of the stores are reserved for testing out phones and other devices.

Why are T-Mobile care reps supposedly getting $5 for each customer who opens a T-Life account?

Other responses to the thread were posted to bring down the level of fear and worry that T-Mobile reps reading it might feel. Most showcased that T-Mobile is not going to close its Neighborhood Stores that focus on making things convenient for consumers. Still, getting consumers to buy their new phones and manage their accounts online through an app makes plenty of sense for T-Mobile after the last few years when the firm's reps have been accused of charging consumers for accessories that they didn't consent to purchasing, or refused to sell new phones to consumers unless they also purchased accessories (more on that below).

The T-Life app seems to be at the center of Sunday's all-hands meeting.

T-Mobile 's upcoming all-hands meeting will result in some major changes to its retail stores and usher in a new era of online service, or some minor new capabilities are being added to the T-Life app. Either way, as soon as we hear something we will enhancement this story. Reducing the use of human reps might benefit T-Mobile since many of the complaints about the carrier that we've written about over the last few years So depending on who is correct,'s upcoming all-hands meeting will result in some major changes to its retail stores and usher in a new era of online service, or some minor new capabilities are being added to the T-Life app. Either way, as soon as we hear something we will enhancement this story. Reducing the use of human reps might benefitsince many of the complaints about the carrier that we've written about over the last few years were about reps doing bad things.

T-Mobile reps who were accused of adding accessories to orders without the customer's consent, reps unwilling to sell a new phone to a customer without the purchase of a case, a charger, screen protector and insurance, and more. Most of these reps were For example, we wrote several stories aboutreps who were accused of adding accessories to orders without the customer's consent, reps unwilling to sell a new phone to a customer without the purchase of a case, a charger, screen protector and insurance, and more. Most of these reps were trying to meet the performance goals placed on them by T-Mobile ; those who fail to meet their metrics can end up losing their jobs.

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Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Streets of Rage 4, Super Onion Boy 2, Botanicula, more

Today’s collection of Android game and app deals is now ready to go down below. Joining the Google Play deals, we have also have a load of deals on Pixel gear – Pixel 9 Pro is $200 off, Pixel 8 is $300 off, and Pixel 7 Pro is $500 off. This offers sit alongside Pixel Tablet from $299 and these deals on the official Pixel 9 cases. As for the apps, highlights include Streets of Rage 4, Super Onion Boy 2, Botanicula, Samorost 3, CHUCHEL, and more. Head below for a closer look.

Streets of Rage 4 takes forward the Streets of Rage legacy in this retro beat’em up with hand-drawn comic inspired graphics and updated mechanics.

Streets of Rage comes back for a sequel 25 years after the last episode : a new crime syndicate seems to have taken control of the streets and corrupted the police. All you have to fight against them is your friends… and your fists ! Critically acclaimed, Streets of Rage 4 won several awards and nominated as Best Action Games at the 2020 Game Awards.

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