In September, the Neon app briefly became a sensation on app download charts by promising to pay users for recording and sharing their phone calls. Then it abruptly went offline amid controversy over its security practices, privacy protections and payment structure. 

More than a month later, Neon has returned to the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store, and the New York-based companyfollowed up a few days later with a new payout formula. Its founder, Alex Kiam, says the security issues have been resolved, but without offering much detail.

How far the company has progressed remains unclear. An email from Kiam to users on Thursday was sprinkled with phrasing like «while we prepare this new version of the app» and «once the new version of the app launches.»

In our own tests, we were unable to get the new version of Neon to work on iOS. A screen that asks to verify a phone number for signup didn’t trigger a phone call as expected.   

Neon sells the recordings of user calls to companies training AI models, which are hungry for real-world input, such as how people speak conversationally. The company says it anonymizes call information. 

Privacy experts CNET spoke to warned against using the app in its previous incarnation due to concerns over call consent laws, and also noted that AI could infer user information or identities even if call data is anonymized.   

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What’s changed with the Neon app?

Shortly after Neon soared on the app store charts, the news site TechCrunch discovered a security flaw that allowed people to access calls from other users, including transcripts and metadata about the calls. After the app went dark, Kiam said that the company would address the issue and that the app would return with a bonus for users. 

At that time, users of the app could call anyone and get paid. According to the company, only the app user’s side of the call was sold, since in some states, it’s not legal to record a conversation without permission. 

The new version is attempting to circumvent these state issues with a new app-to-app setup: Both parties to the call must have the Neon app installed, essentially making it an opt-in service. Only calls from one Neon user to another Neon user are paid, meaning both people on the call have signed up with the company.

In his email on Thursday, Kiam list details of the updated formula for payments. It starts out with pay to users of 20 cents per minute for the first 20 minutes of call time per day, to a maximum of $4 a day. The plan also describes payments for referrals to the app, up to $50 a day from referral earnings — as long as users «don’t try to game the system with fake calls» — with the potential for a higher daily maximum for users «who have referred a lot of people.»

That is, earning potential is based largely on users getting other people to sign up and use the app.

Users posting comments on the Google Play Store have given the company low ratings, complaining that referral rates have dropped to as low as $1 and that call payment rates may be as low as 5 cents per minute. The app currently has a rating of 2.2 stars out of 5 on the Google Play Store and 2.7 stars out of 5 on the App Store for iOS.

Security concerns with Neon

When Neon went offline, it was with the expectation that the company would fix the vulnerability that could have allowed someone to access calls from other users. 

Kiam told CNET via email that the company «engaged with» three cybersecurity firms after the security hole was found and engaged a contractor to perform a code review to address security concerns. He said that Neon later hired that contractor as its chief technology officer. He didn’t name the contractor, but said the person is «the former CTO of a reasonably large tech company who has 20 years of experience building secure platforms.» 

Neon addressed the underlying issue TechCrunch found, Kiam said, and didn’t discover any evidence of «malicious actors» accessing its database. He didn’t elaborate on how the company addressed that issue.

The delay in bringing Neon back to iOS was not intentional, he said. «I wanted to bring Neon back quickly, but it was important that we did this right.» 

Neon’s updated terms of service

As part of its relaunch, Neon has waived the $30-per-day limit on pending payouts. Kiam said the company plans «a future pleasant surprise» for those who were already using the app.

According to the updated terms of service from Nov. 3, those who sign up for the app agree that Neon can «sell and offer for sale» call recordings «for the purpose of developing, training, testing, and improving machine learning models, artificial intelligence tools and systems, and related technologies.»

There is still concerning language regarding Neon’s rights and licenses that grant the company the authority to publicly display, reproduce and distribute call recordings «in any media formats and through any media channels.»

The appeal of earning a few extra bucks for very little effort is understandable, especially when many people are worried about money amid tech industry layoffs, the US government shutdown and the suspension of services like the SNAP food assistance program.  

Still, security concerns, the ethics of turning over personal conversations to AI companies, the lack of clarity about payments and complaints in user reviews should give users pause.

In an interview with CNET in early October, Kiam said his company was overwhelmed by the sudden popularity of Neon, but not completely surprised.

«I expected things to grow pretty quickly because … we’re getting people money for something that they would do anyway,» Kiam said. «We felt confident that there was real demand for something like this.»

Mobile gaming has come in leaps and bounds in recent years, and some of the best games can be found on your phone. But touchscreens aren’t suited to all kinds of games, and that’s why a controller is a good pickup for any mobile gamer. The GameSir G8 Plus works with phones and tablets, and right now it’s yours for its lowest-ever price of just $72. That’s down $28 from its original price and about 10% off the price we’ve been seeing lately.

This deal doesn’t ask you to enter any codes or clip any coupons, but you should be aware of its limited-time label. Stocks could run dry at any time, so make sure to order your new controller soon to avoid missing out.

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The GameSir G8 Plus supports both Android and iOS, and connects to your device using Bluetooth. You place your phone or tablet into the controller itself, creating a Nintendo Switch-like experience.

The controller itself has Hall Effect joysticks to avoid age-old issues like stick drift, and the six-axis motion-sensing technology is useful for games that support motion controls. You can even connect this controller to your PC via a USB-C cable and play there, too.

Our reviewer, Jason Cockerham, thinks this controller is worth grabbing if you don’t mind dealing with its software. He goes into more detail in his full review, but notes that, «If you don’t care much about the lackluster app, then the G8 Plus really is a solid controller. It feels great, responds well, and has respectable battery life.» He also added that, «It’s a great controller, even for $100.» And now that it’s down to $72, it’s a much better value. 

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Why this deal matters

Sometimes it can be difficult to find time to fire up a console or PC, but that doesn’t have to mean you can’t play. Mobile gaming is a great way to game when you might otherwise not be able to, and this controller gives you a familiar gaming feel on the go — and at an excellent price, too.

Motorola’s G Stylus line has always leaned into utility, and the 2025 version adds a few thoughtful upgrades without pushing the price too far. It’s one of the few phones in its class with a built-in stylus, and it now supports Android 15, AI features and faster charging. If you’re looking for a mid-range phone that doesn’t feel stripped down, this one’s worth a look.

Amazon has dropped the 2025 Moto G Stylus to $300, a $100 discount off its $400 list price — that’s 25% off. Grab the deal while it lasts. It’s the lowest price we’ve seen for this configuration, which includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For comparison, the 2024 model is currently available for $200 at Best Buy; however, it lacks the newer chip and faster charging capabilities.

The 2025 G Stylus features a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos support. A Snapdragon processor powers it, runs Android 15 and includes a 50 MP primary camera with AI enhancements. The stylus is built in, and the phone supports sketching, note-taking and photo markup without requiring a separate accessory.

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Charging is fast — Motorola says you can get “power for the day” in just 15 minutes. However, the 68W TurboPower charger is sold separately. The phone also includes IP68 water resistance, a vegan leather finish and MIL-STD-810H durability testing.

In CNET’s hands-on coverage, the phone was praised for bringing AI features to a lower price tier. It’s also been called “the fastest charging phone under $400” — a rare distinction in this category.

For more picks, check out our best Android phones and top budget phone deals.

Why this deal matters

Stylus-equipped phones are rare in the midrange category. The 2025 Moto G Stylus adds fast charging, AI features and a premium display — all for $300. With 256GB of storage and Android 15, it’s a well-rounded option for phone users who want flexibility without overspending.