Verizon Archives

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Google’s March Pixel Drop is here with a ton of Android upgrades

Google's latest Pixel Drop update enhances the Pixel series with new features, including expanded satellite messaging capabilities for the Pixel 9 series, which now supports users in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Europe. This feature allows users to connect to compatible satellite networks for emergency assistance when cellular service is unavailable. The update will also support Verizon and T-Mobile for satellite messaging. Additionally, the Pixel 9 family introduces a video recording feature that enables simultaneous recording from multiple angles using another Pixel device or a compatible GoPro camera. The AI-powered scam detection feature will be available on all currently supported Android devices, allowing Google Messages app users to identify potential scam texts, while comprehensive phone call scam alerts will remain exclusive to the Pixel 9 series.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

March 2025 Feature Drop: Connected Pixel 9 Camera, Satellite SOS expands, app updates

Google has announced the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop alongside Android 15 QPR2, which includes various enhancements for first-party applications, camera functionalities, and connectivity options. The update features Gemini Live powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash, enabling multilingual conversations in over 45 languages. The Pixel 6+ introduces Talk Live for discussions about images and videos, while the Pixel 9 series gains a "Connected Camera" feature for livestreaming with GoPro HERO10 Black or newer devices. The Pixel Fold series adds Dual Screen mode for video recording. The Satellite SOS service is now available in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, the UK, and Europe for Pixel 9 users, allowing emergency contact without cellular coverage. T-Mobile and Verizon users can utilize carrier satellite messaging for emergency calls and texts. The Pixel Studio app on the Pixel 9 series can now generate images of people, and Pixel Screenshots will suggest items for Collections. Japanese users gain access to Pixel Screenshots, Studio, AI summaries, and weather reports, while German users receive similar enhancements. The Phone by Google app introduces real-time Scam Detection, and Google Messages will show scam alerts in conversations. The Gboard Voice Toolbar is now available on phones.

AppWizard

December 15, 2024

AT&T shuts down its messaging apps prematurely and deletes cloud backups

AT&T has retired its pre-installed messaging applications for phones and tablets as of December 4, following an announcement in May about the closure of the AT&T Messages Backup & Sync app and the AT&T Messages for Tablet app. Users are encouraged to migrate to Google Messages, which AT&T prefers due to its Rich Communication Services (RCS) capabilities. Messages stored in the cloud will be deleted, but conversations saved locally on devices will remain accessible. AT&T had made Google Messages the default Android messaging app in 2021 and transitioned to Google's Jibe platform in 2023 to improve RCS features. Unlike Verizon's experience with customer backlash, AT&T's user base has shown more acceptance of this change.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Hackers May Be Reading Your Texts — U.S. Officials Urge All Americans to Use Encryption Messaging Apps in the Wake of Massive Cyberattack

A cyberattack attributed to Chinese hackers has compromised the data of over 1 million customers, targeting major telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. The hackers may have intercepted live conversations and accessed private text messages, with political figures, including campaign teams for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, being potential targets. Security experts stress the importance of encryption for safeguarding communications, recommending secure messaging applications like Signal Private Messenger, Telegram, or WhatsApp. There are concerns that the hackers may still be present in the telecommunications networks.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Americans urged to use encrypted messaging apps after cyberattack: Officials

U.S. officials recommend citizens use encrypted messaging applications due to recent cyberattacks on major telecommunications companies, including AT&T and Verizon. Microsoft identified a hacking campaign called "Salt Typhoon" as a significant intelligence breach, which remains unresolved. The attacks are believed to be conducted by Chinese entities targeting American citizens, though Chinese officials have not commented on the allegations.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

US Warns Citizens to Use Encrypted Messaging Apps Amid Cyberattack on Telecom Giants

A significant cyber intrusion has targeted major US telecommunications firms, including AT&T and Verizon, linked to Chinese state-sponsored actors and identified by Microsoft as Salt Typhoon. The FBI and CISA have confirmed that the attack focused on leading telecom companies, infiltrating sensitive data such as phone metadata, live calls, and law enforcement surveillance systems. The breach is attributed to the Chinese government, aiming to gather intelligence on American political and governmental operations, but officials state it is not intended to interfere with the 2024 elections. Types of sensitive information stolen include call logs and metadata, intercepted live conversations, and access to law enforcement systems. In response, officials are encouraging the use of encrypted messaging applications like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage to protect personal communications. The breach raises concerns about the vulnerability of telecom systems governed by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which may not fully encrypt messages. Despite the damage caused by the Salt Typhoon operation, the breach highlights the risks associated with cyber espionage from state-sponsored groups, emphasizing the need for robust encryption to safeguard personal information.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid cyberattack

A significant cyberattack, dubbed Salt Typhoon, has targeted major U.S. telecommunications firms, including AT&T and Verizon, leading officials to recommend the use of encrypted messaging applications for secure communications. Chinese hackers reportedly infiltrated these companies to surveil customers, particularly focusing on call records and live phone calls, including those related to political figures. The FBI has not provided a timeline for when telecommunications systems will be free of unauthorized access and has decided not to notify individuals whose metadata was compromised. The breach has raised concerns about the security of compliance systems used by telecom companies. End-to-end encrypted applications like Signal and WhatsApp are advocated for, while the FBI's stance on encryption remains complex, having historically opposed full encryption that prevents law enforcement access. Senator Ron Wyden criticized the reliance on compliance systems, arguing they leave sensitive information vulnerable to breaches.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

How to Delete T-Mobile’s Play Feed From Your Android Phone

The TCL 50 XL comes preinstalled with the T-Mobile Play feed alongside Google Discover, which some users find redundant and cluttering. This feed is difficult to remove, as it is bundled with various phones sold by T-Mobile, a practice also seen with other carriers like Verizon and AT&T, which include their own applications, often referred to as "bloatware." Users can disable the T-Mobile Play feed through the Settings menu by navigating to the Applications list, selecting the T-Mobile Play app, tapping the Disable option, confirming the action, and then restarting the phone. After rebooting, the Google Discover feed will function independently without the T-Mobile Play feed. Users can reinstate the feed by repeating the same steps.

AppWizard

August 30, 2024

Google Pixel Security: Android App Makes Phones Vulnerable

Palantir Technologies and Trail of Bits conducted an analysis revealing that Google Pixel devices have a dormant application, Showcase.apk, which could be exploited for cyberattacks and malware distribution. This app has excessive system privileges, allowing remote code execution and arbitrary package installation. It downloads a configuration file over an unsecure connection, making it vulnerable to manipulation. The Verizon Retail Demo Mode app, which has been in circulation since August 2016, also poses risks due to its extensive permissions and use of unencrypted HTTP for configuration file downloads. Although no active exploits have been reported, the app raises concerns about adversary-in-the-middle attacks. Users are advised to take protective measures, but the app is not enabled by default and cannot be uninstalled. Google confirmed that the app will be removed from supported Pixel devices through a software update, and it is not present on the Pixel 9 series.

AppWizard

August 16, 2024

Verizon preloaded Pixel phones with an unsafe app, but Google is fixing it

A vulnerability has been identified on Google Pixel devices due to a Verizon demo application, which could expose users to malware and spyware attacks if activated. This app may facilitate man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, compromising the integrity of the Android software. Google is working on a software update to remove the Verizon demo app from affected Pixel phones. Non-Pixel phone users will need to wait for the rollout of Android 15 for similar protections. Previous security issues include a zero-day vulnerability that could erase user data and the "aCropalypse" vulnerability that allowed attackers to reverse image cropping. Google provides seven years of software updates for Pixel phones, emphasizing the importance of ongoing security support.