Technologies

T-Mobile Offers Free Emergency 911 Satellite Texting for Anyone With a Compatible Phone

One of the most important features of T-Mobile’s T-Satellite service is that it allows 911 access for everyone, whether you’re on T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon.

If you find yourself in trouble and without cellular service, you now have several ways to connect with emergency services thanks to companies including Apple, Google and T-Mobile. On Wednesday, T-Mobile announced that the emergency texting feature of its T-Satellite service is free, even if you’re not one of the carrier’s customers. But where T-Satellite stands out is its ease of connection and compatibility with phones that don’t include dedicated satellite hardware.

T-Satellite uses Starlink’s network of satellites to communicate directly with recent smartphone models. The new T-Mobile Text to 911 service is now live for customers of any carrier and whether or not you have an iPhone or Android phone.

Read more: Why I had to drive 120 miles out of town to test T-Satellite.

«We just think that with a technology like this, no customer should ever be in a situation where they are unconnected in an emergency,» said Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products, in an interview with CNET back in June

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T-Mobile launched its T-Satellite service in July, which began as a way to text others and receive emergency assistance when outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. It then expanded the feature set to support data within apps, including in-app phone and video calls, such as in WhatsApp. Nearly any smartphone model released in the last four years can connect to the Starlink satellite network.

T-Satellite is included for subscribers of T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans, and it can be added to other plans for $10 a month.

But the carrier hasn’t kept the technology to itself. At launch, it announced that AT&T and Verizon customers can also add T-Satellite for the same $10 monthly cost. It’s activated as a secondary eSIM on the phone.

T-Mobile Text to 911 uses the same framework. After signing up for the free service, enrollees set it up on their phone as a second active eSIM.

In the event help is needed off grid, when the phone is connected to the T-Satellite network, sending a text to the number 911 in your default messages app will direct it to emergency services.

According to T-Mobile, existing customers can add Text to 911 to their plans by going to Manage Data and Add-Ons in the T-Life app or their account. Customers of other providers can sign up at T-Mobile’s site. New business customers can call 866-380-7511.

Owners of iPhone 14 and later models and Pixel 9 and 10 models can currently connect to satellite services provided by Apple and Google for emergencies. The T-Mobile Text to 911 service provides a backup option for those who are out of cellular range. T-Mobile touts the T-Satellite service as a more compatible, easier-to-use option that does not require pointing at a moving satellite to maintain a connection. On compatible iPhone models, the system prioritizes a third-party satellite option like T-Satellite for connection, and offers its built-in service as backup.

Technologies

Google Could Revive Last Year’s Bright Pink Color for the Pixel 10a

Google’s upcoming Pixel 10a is expected to launch in February with some new colors, including one popular ask.

The Google Pixel 9a is one of Google’s most affordable Pixel phones, and it includes one of the most frequently requested colors — bright pink. With the Google Pixel 10a rumored to launch in February, we’re already getting a hint at the colors the new model will come in.

According to Roland Quandt, a regular mobile leaker on Bluesky, the Google Pixel is expected to be offered in obsidian (black), berry (pink), fog (light gray), and lavender colors. However, it’s the berry hue that is intriguing customers.

A representative for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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«I always love to see phones come in vibrant colors, and it’s especially welcome in more budget-friendly options,» said Abrar Al-Heeti, senior technology reporter at CNET. «Yes, we tend to slap a case on our phones anyway, but just knowing your phone touts a bold color can make it feel like more of a statement piece, rather than a bland piece of tech.»

Pink is one of the most requested color options for the Pixel phones. CNET sister site Mashable loved the color when it debuted on the Pixel 9. Phone rivals like Apple and Samsung are usually expected to offer a pink color option in their flagship and midrange phone lineups, so it’s not surprising to see the berry color on the Pixel 10a.

«I’ll say that Google loves having Pixel phones in pink,» said Patrick Holland, CNET managing editor. «The Pixel 9 and 9a come in peony (a bright, bold pink) and the 9 Pro in rose quartz (a more muted pink). The Pixel 10 series lacks any pinkish hues.»

Quandt also says that the Pixel 10a will have 128GB and 256GB storage models, and will launch in mid-February. That’s earlier than expected compared with the Pixel 9a, which was revealed in mid-March 2025 for a launch on April 10. In terms of specifications, we expect the Pixel 10a to be a modest upgrade compared with previous generations. According to leaks, the Pixel 10 is unlikely to feature a newer Tensor G5 chip, and it’s likely to retain the same overall design as the Pixel 9a.

One leaker, Mystic Leaks on Telegram, expressed disappointment and revealed additional specs, including the absence of a telephoto lens, UFS 3.1 storage, a Tensor G4 chip, a 2,000-nit display and no Magic Cue, which is Google’s AI feature for the Pixel 10.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Jan. 14, #948

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 14 #948.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. The blue category, not the purple one today, expects you to find hidden words in four of the words given in the grid. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: That’s not going anywhere.

Green group hint: End user or customer.

Blue group hint: Ask a meteorologist.

Purple group hint: Not noisy.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Fixed.

Green group: Receiver of goods or services.

Blue group: Starting with weather conditions.

Purple group: Silent ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is fixed. The four answers are fast, firm, secure and tight.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is receiver of goods or services. The four answers are account, client, consumer and user.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is starting with weather conditions. The four answers are frosty (frost), mistletoe (mist), rainmaker (rain) and snowman (snow).

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is silent ____. The four answers are auction, movie, partner and treatment.

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Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Jan. 14, #1670

Here are hints and the answer for today’s Wordle for Jan. 14, No. 1,670.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Wordle puzzle is a tough one, with a letter that is rarely used and which I just never guess. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.