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

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Might Come in 5G and 4G Cellular Models

If the rumor proves true, the 5G Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 that debuted last fall.

Samsung’s next high-end Galaxy Watch could support faster 5G speeds, but if this leak is true, it will depend on where you live. The rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might come in 5G and 4G cellular models, with availability for each smartwatch depending on the country.

According to the Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that point to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi-enabled editions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, which would succeed the original model that debuted in 2024.

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

The Galaxy Club website speculates that the 5G edition would be sold in the US and Korean markets, while the 4G edition would sell in the rest of the world. In the US, a 5G version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3, which debuted last fall. The 4G edition would have broader compatibility worldwide, since the earlier network is far more established.

It will likely be a few months until we hear anything official about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Samsung typically unveils its new watches in the summer alongside its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but otherwise left the prior 2024 Ultra in the lineup for those looking for a larger 47mm smartwatch.

Technologies

2 Cases Show Supreme Court Isn’t Holding ISPs Responsible for Piracy

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 8, #1032

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for April 8, No. 1032.

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 purple category is a fun one, once you see the connection. 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: In the group.

Green group hint: Appearance details.

Blue group hint: Often found in gyms.

Purple group hint: They help you see.