Chromebooks and Chrome OS have grown exponentially in the past few years. From its focus on education to the perfect pandemic device, more and more consumers are taking notice with their wallets. Chrome OS is now the second most popular desktop system behind Mac OS and knocking Windows to number three.
Another focus has been developers and Google created the Linux app runtime on Chrome OS with this user in mind. Today, after three long years, Google has announced at I/O that Linux apps will remove the beta tag. This will come in the latest Chrome 91 update coming to devices in the next few weeks.
While the experience is limited, this does open Chrome OS devices up to a large ecosystem of Debian Linux apps. Google was quick to remind that this is mostly intended for developers to test dev systems with IDEs and code editors, but it also allows for you to run traditional desktop apps. Think Firefox, Thunderbird, Signal, or even LibreOffice.
As Google continues to mature the software behind Chrome OS, and in extension Android apps, Linux support could be a key cog in developers taking the platform seriously. Being able to champion the platform you are making applications to run on is huge and isn’t very easy without the Linux runtime.
You can watch the full virtual keynote below. It’s worth noting that Google also calls out plans to launch 50 new Chromebooks this year and Android 11 will come to the Android environment. No details were offered on the new hardware, but Android 11 is confirmed to make it in the next update with Chrome 90.
It might surprise some of you to know that companies like Visible and Cricket Wireless operate on the Verizon and AT&T networks, respectively. These network operators license the towers and coverage from the tier-one providers and offer their own phones, rate plans, and customer service.
Let’s take a look at another, similar situation. Metro, formerly known as MetroPCS, is a prepaid brand that uses T-Mobile’s network for coverage.
About Metro and its network
Founded in 1994, the carrier ultimately merged with T-Mobile in 2013 and became one of the first companies to offer unlimited data plans. Although it was first established as General Wireless, it later changed to MetroPCS; in late 2018 it was changed again to Metro by T-Mobile.
Thanks to T-Mobile, Metro gets to lay claim to being the first MVNO or prepaid brand to offer 5G. Its nationwide coverage went live in early December, 2019.
What are Metro Rate Plans?
Things are pretty simple when it comes to rate plans at Metro. Customers choose from four options with prices starting at $30 per month. Taxes and fees are included so the monthly bill is nice and flat.
Rate Plans
$30 – Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB high-speed data
$40 – Unlimited talk, text, and 10GB high-speed data (with unlimited music streaming)
$50 – Unlimited talk, text, and unlimited high-speed data (with 5GB hotspot and 100GB Google One)
$60 – Unlimited talk, text, and unlimited high-speed data (with 15GB hotspot, 100GB Google One, and Amazon Prime)
What about multiple lines?
Metro’s multiple line plans are rather straightforward, too. It’s as easy as picking the starting plan and adding the number of lines. There are discounts applied for each additional phone number, with them priced around $30 a piece, on average.
Are there any special deals at Metro?
Certainly. There are a number of options available from Metro, including discounts, free phones, and bundled rate plans. Things are always subject to change, especially around holidays, so be sure to check the dedicated deals page.
How is Metro’s phone selection?
Metro offers a decent array of phones, from very basic from brands you might not be familiar with, up to current flagships. Interestingly enough, there’s a decent selection at the upper end, particularly the Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer iPhones.
Keeping pace with its growing 5G coverage, Metro has added a number of phones with support for the faster nework.
Metro, formerly known as MetroPCS, is a prepaid wireless service provider which operates under the T-Mobile umbrella. Launched more than 20 years ago, it offers customers a couple of rate plan options for those who don’t need many of the extras that come with tier-one carriers.
With more than two dozen smartphones in its portfolio, Metro has something for everyone. Figuring out which one is right for you can sometimes feel a little bit overwhelming; we know the paradox of choice can be quite real.
If you are a current Metro subscriber, or are considering a switch to the prepaid brand, you’ll ultimately need a new phone. Should you be in the market for a new handset now there’s a lot to cut through.
We’ve looked through the Metro lineup and have come up with a handful of phones to recommend. Each fits a slightly different niche, but all are worth checking out.
Motorola One 5G Ace
A very solid all-around experience in the middle of the pack, you get a lot of phone for about half of what you’d get from a certain other brand.
For your money you get a large screen at 6.7-inches , a triple-camera setup, and a battery that lasts well into two days. Oh, and it’s a 5G-ready handset, which means you’ll be ready for that super-fast data that carriers keep promising.
A stock Android experience that’s got just the right amount of extra touches, it’s intuitive, user-friendly, and cohesive.
Getting back to its roots, the Nord N10 5G is an affordable phone designed for the every man, with a little bit of extra frills thrown in. It’s one of the most budget-friendly 5G phones on the market, but it’s not a entry-level model whatsoever.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
For your money you get a large 6.49-inch FHD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate and an equally impressive 4,300mAh battery supported by a crazy fast charging system.
The phone is powered by Android 10 with a custom OxygenOS that sprinkles in just the right amount of goodies. There’s plenty of internal storage and processor performance; four cameras and a fingerprint reader are located on the rear.
If you’re on the hunt for a phone that you plan to own for a few years, you don’t want to cut corners. You want a flagship phone. The problem is that too many of them cost way more than we’re willing to spend.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE)
The Fan Edition of the flagship S20 is what happens when you keep the most important stuff and toss aside the frills (and extra cost).
Here, you get a large screen with high refresh rate, a large battery, three rear cameras, and a modern Android and user interface. Offered in three colors, it’s the S20 you deserve.
The LG Stylo 6 is an excellent option for customers looking for a massive display without breaking the bank. With 6.8-inches of screen, pictures and movies look great and text is really easy to read. You’ll have to tread into tablet territory to get anything bigger.
LG Stylo 6
The high-powered octa-core processor, paired with 3GB memory is all you need to play games and get your work done without stutters or lags. You’ve got 64GB internal storage space to work with but a microSD expansion card slot allows for a whopping 2TB of external media. That’s more room than your laptop.
Available in a variety of colors, the Stylo 6 is slim with a very modern design. The triple-camera backside and 13-megapixel front-facing camera are all you need to capture your goings-on to be shared over social media.
Boost your productivity with the included stylus; mark up documents, jot down notes, or use it for editing purposes. Last but not least, we like this one because it runs Android 10 right out of the box.
The Galaxy S series gets all of the fanfare, but the Galaxy A line is just as good for many users. Indeed, these lower cost options give consumers the same great Samsung design but with just the right amount of features. We’re talking maybe half the price yet still no noticeable difference in performance.
Samsung Galaxy A51
Standout features in the Galaxy A51 include a 6.5-inch HD display, and quad-camera (16MP main lens, 120 degree ultra wide, 2MP depth camera, and 2MP macro) array. An octa-core processor is paired 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The phone runs Android 10 with a 4,000mAh battery should most users far beyond a full day.
Big screen, bigger battery, and 5G on a budget? Yes, please. There’s just so much to appreciate about this phone, best of all its price tag.
The high-resolution 6.7-inch HD+ Max display is just as beautiful to behold as it is to physically hold. Yes, it’s about the same size screen as you’d find in early tablets.
Under the hood we find an octa-core processor and 128GB of space. Should that not be enough for some reason, you can toss in a microSD card for up to 1TB of external media.
Other things we appreciate? A 48-megapixel triple camera setup, USB Type-C charging, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Do you already have a phone or possibly looking to buy an unlocked device for use on Metro? If the equipment is GSM unlocked, or previously used on T-Mobile you can order a SIM card if you wish to bring your own device. Check to see if your phone is compatible.
New York City has the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and much more. But what is the one thing it is missing? If you answered a retail store for Google products, then you’re in luck.
Google announced on May 20, 2021, that it would be opening its first-ever physical retail store in NYC. The aptly named Google Store will open this summer in Chelsea, and provide customers a new way to browse and experience Google products before buying.
As you might expect, the store will be packed with products from Google, such as the Pixel smartphones, Pixelbook Chromebooks, Fitbit devices, Nest thermostats, smart speakers, smart displays, cameras, and more.
Customers will also be able to shop online at the GoogleStore.com and arrange to pick up their purchase in person, of course, it stands to reason you’ll need to be local to NYC. Otherwise, that would be quite the road trip to pick up a new Nest Audio.
Beyond selling its products, Google states it will have experts in-store to help with troubleshooting issues, fixing cracked screens on Pixels, or help with installations.
Considering the progress the U.S. has made recently with vaccinations, it appears Google hopes that in-person shopping will be getting back to normal soon. Regardless, Google will be requiring masks and social distancing in store, as well as limiting the number of customers. Additionally, hand sanitation will be required and all spaces will be cleaned multiple times a day.
What remains to be seen is how successful the first physical Google Store will be. Other brands have tried it, most notably Apple, while others such as Microsoft weren’t able to make it viable. Now that Google has an ecosystem of products to work with, it might just make sense to have a store to show off how well it all works together.
An MVNO or Mobile Virtual Network Operator is a company that leases access to towers from one of the big four carriers. In the US those carriers include AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
Popular MVNOs for the big carriers include Cricket (AT&T), Metro (T-Mobile), and Xfinity Mobile (Verizon). In some cases the MVNO may even be owned by the original network. Such is the case with Cricket or Metro.
There are many more MVNOs out there besides those I just mentioned, many of which you may not know. MVNOs tend to lack the big marketing budgets of the main carriers, but that’s one of the reasons MVNOs are able to save you money over the traditional carriers.
Although these operators use the same towers and general infrastructure of the big names it’s not always the same experience. Or, to be more specific, the coverage might be there but the speeds may not.
Why is data slower from an MVNO?
The simple answer is, the four major carriers prioritize customers who pay for postpaid plans. In fact, MVNOs can be up to 23% slower than the original network says independent research company Tutela who analyzed 240 billion network measurements from 2.8 million handsets across the U.S.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that the users paying the most also receive the highest priority, even prepaid customers can have their speeds throttled when the network is congested.
Not all MVNOs are created equal
While Tutela’s data showed that MVNO networks were slower across the board, it also found that some were better than others. For example, MVNOs on the T-Mobile and former Sprint networks had the smallest drop off in speeds, in most cases speeds were often within 1Mbps of the original carrier.
AT&T, on the other hand, had speeds that were between 4 and 10Mbps slower from its MVNO partners. While Verizon was the worst of the offenders, showing speeds nearly half as fast as the 24Mbps it offers to its own customers.
It’s worth noting, however, that even with speeds half as fast, Xfinity Mobile customers are still seeing faster downloads on average when compared to many other MVNOs.
Does that mean you shouldn’t use an MVNO?
Despite having a slower maximum download speed, MVNOs still provide a speedy service at an affordable price.
With the exception of downloading large files, most users won’t notice a difference in speed. You’ll still be able to surf the web, stream videos and music, and save some money while you do it.
In the market for a new smartphone? Have you considered purchasing something unlocked instead of dealing with a service provider? Did you know you could even do such a thing?
Indeed, buying unlocked phones is not unlike buying a computer and then picking out an internet provider. Many of today’s top phones can be purchased unlocked and paired with a wireless carrier.
Unfortunately, with multiple service providers and technologies at play in the United States, it’s not quite as simple as it sounds.
Whether you are looking to go with a tier-one carrier,ย a prepaid operator, or MVNO, it pays to do a quick bit of research before plunking down some cash. The last thing you want is to invest in a phone that doesn’t work in your area or deliver the data speeds you expect.
We’ve put together the following reference to help you quickly identify whether that unlocked phone will work for you. To be fair, this isn’t the be-all-end-all to address every little instance, but it should be enough to head you off in the right direction.
Actual results will vary by location, but what you see below is a generality that works in most cases.
We definitely recommend checking with someone from your (prospective) carrier to see if a particular model is compatible. Each has its own rules and conditions; you don’t want to buy a phone that doesn’t work as you expect.
Last year I reviewed the Audeze Mobius planar magnetic gaming headphones for all of you PC gamers out there. Now with a new generation of consoles coming out, Audeze was nice enough to send out its Penrose wireless gaming headset made especially for them.
Design
When it comes to the look and style of the Penrose X, Audeze keeps it simple and understated. Besides the larger size, flourish of green, and additional controls–the Penrose X could easily be mistaken for a typical pair of over-ear cans. That’s fine by me, I don’t need my gaming headset to have an edgy design or include a bunch of embellishments.
What does matter about the design is the access to frequently used controls, such as the volume dial, mic volume dial, mic mute switch, and multi-function button that’s used for switching sources–all of which are housed on the left ear cup. That’s not all though, when the dials are pressed they gain additional functionality.
For example, pressing on the mic dial enables you to adjust the chat and game mix audio on the Penrose X. Long-pressing for three-seconds on the volume wheel will also cycle through your five different equalizer presets, while doing the same on the mic wheel enables or disables sidetone.
Besides the buttons, the Audeze Penrose X also has a multitude of ports, including one for the boom mic, a 3.5mm jack, and a USB-C port.
With all these ports you have your choice of connecting the Penrose X with either the wireless dongle, Bluetooth, or with a 3.5mm cable. Unfortunately, you cannot use the USB-C port to connect the headset as you could with the Audeze Mobius, it is strictly reserved for charging on the Penrose X.
Comfort
The Penrose X is a hefty headset when compared to traditional over-ear headphones, however, it’s about average for most gaming headsets. That means, you’re definitely going to feel these on your head, but the clamping force isn’t overly strong and the padding is adequate for wearing for long gaming sessions. Like most closed-back headphones though, your ears will tend to get warm after extended periods.
User experience
First off, let me say that I’m a PlayStation 5 user and I don’t currently own an Xbox. However, the Audeze Penrose X works with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, and even the PS5. Even though it’s not directly marketed towards the PS5, there are no issues whatsoever in using it with the PlayStation 5 if you toggle the dongle to PC. For that reason, the Penrose X is the do it all Penrose model and the one worth purchasing.
My experience with the Penrose X was near exceptional. I was able to use it with my PS5, my PC, a Chromebook, and it even worked when I plugged it into my Stadia controller while using a USB-C adapter.
However, I wouldn’t recommend the last one, as it kept cutting in and out when using it with the Stadia controller. It was more of a curiosity to see how universal the Penrose X is when using the wireless dongle.
Early reports showed some users having issues with the connection cutting out when using the Penrose. Perhaps those were isolated incidents or it was fixed with software updates over time, because I didn’t experience one dropout while using mine the past couple of months. Although, my PS5 is only around 8-10 feet away, but I did try the dongle in both the back and front USB ports.
The headset has received several updates though, and each brought bug fixes and improved functionality, such as disabling side-tone by default and adding new ways to change settings with the wheels on the ear cups.
Additionally, Audeze has since released the Audeze HQ app to help you manage the Penrose headsets. That’s really nice because one of the key features of the Penrose is the ability to connect simultaneously between the wireless dongle and your phone.
This allows you to make calls on your phone or with chatting apps like Discord or Whatsapp while you’re playing. It’s perfect for joining group chats with your team on cross-platform games, and the app makes it easier to adjust the balance between game audio and call audio.
Audio quality
Using the Penrose X made me fall in love with using a gaming headset with my console. Previously, I always used a 5.1 surround sound system with my PS5, but when wearing the Penrose X, I found the audio score in games came to life and I was able to pick up little details like sound effects that I never previously heard. Part of this is attributed to just using a headset, but some of it is just because of how clean and rich the audio is from the Penrose headset.
The sound signature on the Audeze Penrose X is pretty flat giving all frequencies a level playing field. This means you get to clear crisp sound with detail throughout the range, similar to reference headphones.
Game audio sounds incredibly detailed and music is crisp and bright. However, Audeze makes several audio presets available aimed at changing the sound profile for gaming and music on its website. These presets can do wonders at bringing out the low-end for more bass and boom when playing games or listening to music, as well as helping to isolate certain sounds like footsteps.
My only complaint with the Penrose X is the low-level hiss I would sometimes hear during silent moments in games, between music tracks, or when a song is paused. It’s only irritating to hear during those quiet moments and doesn’t affect the sound quality when there is sound playing though.
Microphone
Audeze touts a detachable boom mic designed with help from Shure. In my experience, the microphone performed very well. My friends were able to hear me clearly and listening to recordings of my voice showed that it has no troubles in reproducing my voice.
Battery Life
I found that the Audeze Penrose X was easily able to last me through gaming sessions of four hours or longer. In fact, I’d say I didn’t have to charge it up until after a good eight hours or more of gaming time.
If your battery starts running low during a heated gaming session, then no worries, the Penrose X allows you to charge up while actively using them. Sure, it adds a wire to your wireless headset, but that’s better than not being able to use them until they have time to charge up.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Audeze Penrose X ushers in a new era of high-quality wireless audio when gaming with your console or PC. Audeze has shown it is dedicated to providing updates to enhance the Penrose headsets, while also providing stellar audio quality. Even though they may be on the expensive side, you get what you pay for with a great pair of headphones for gaming, listening to music, or watching movies.
I will say that if you are exclusively a PC gamer and don’t mind wires, then I’d suggest the Audeze Mobius. The 5.1 sound processing and head tracking really make a difference on PC, but when it comes to consoles there’s really no benefit.
Over the past year, we’ve all done our fair share of video calls–and as great as it is to see friends and loved ones face to face–a 2D flat screen just isn’t as good as seeing them in person.
Google knows this, and yesterday at Google I/O 2021, it introduced a new project called Starline that it has been working on for over five years now. Starline’s purpose is to help bridge the gap between video calls and being there in person with a photorealistic view of the person you are calling, complete with shadows and depth.
In essence, Starline is still only a video call, but it uses a specialized display, computer vision, machine learning, and spatial audio to make the person on the other end appear as if they are actually in the room with you. The 65-inch light-field glass display gives the person on the call a 3D appearance with real depth that is photorealistic.
According to an article from Wired, from a journalist who has personally used the device, Starline uses a specialized booth with “more than a dozen different depth sensors and cameras” to produce the holographic image on the screen.
The Wired author also remarked about the surreal realistic nature of Starline, that was until he moved a few inches off-axis. If you’re not sitting directly in the center of the booth then the image loses its holographic effect and looks like a traditional 2D image. There were also the occasional artifacts that appeared on screen to remind you that you’re still on a video call and it’s not real life.
In other words, don’t expect this to show up anytime soon in your home or office. Besides, Google hasn’t even mentioned how much the Starline booth might cost, or the bandwidth requirements. Despite Google employing real-time compression and transmitting over WebRTC, you can bet it still requires a fast pipe to deliver all those pixels.
Project Starline is still in its early stages of development, but Google has already spent thousands of hours testing it with Google employees in the Bay Area, New York, and Seattle. Later this year, Google will expand testing with Starline and begin trial deployments with enterprise partners.
Are you in the market for a pair of wireless headphones but don’t have much of a budget to work with? We’re not talking about $100 or even $50 for a pair, we’re aiming lower. How about grabbing a set of wireless headphones for less than a decent meal?
The Xcentz XBuds S2 Bluetooth Neckband Headphones, available in Amazon for just $21.99, are a great value on its own. Features include IPX7 waterproof protection, magnets for securing them around your neck, and three sizes of ear tips. A single charge can provide up to eight hours of playback; charging takes about two hours from fully depleted.
Xcentz Xbuds S2
Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones: Xcentz Bluetooth neckband headphones has faster & stable signal transmission, clearer sound quality and lower power consumption.
Extended Playtime: Listen for up to 8 hours nonstop on a single charge. A 10-minute charge keeps you going for 70 minutes.
IPX7 Sweatproof๏ผSweatproof design keeps liquids out and the internal components protected.
Magnetic Earbuds: The built-in magnet attracts the earplugs when you donโt use them. Versatilely used in running, jogging, gym and other kinds of sports.
Lightweight Neckband: Xcentz Bluetooth neckband headsets weigh only 0.75oz in flexible and durable silicone material.
Limited Time Savings!
As great as it would be pick these up for $22, we have a deal that drops the price nearly in half. Indeed, use the coupon code 4W8NJV9H at checkout and you can score a pair of Xbuds S2 for just $10.99.
You’ll have to act fast though because this limited time deal expires at 11:59PM PDT on May 19! This means you have but a few hours left.
The Nitty Gritty: Purchase a pre-owned unlocked Google 3a for just $150 and use it with your favorite carrier.
On the hunt for a new handset but don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with a flagship model? That’s totally understandable; most people can get by with a phone that’s a generation or two behind. What’s more, you don’t need a device that was ever considered a “flagship” to begin with. Take the Google Pixel 3a, for instance.
One of our favorite phones of the last few years, the Pixel 3a is the Google standard for what a mid-range device should look like and how it should operate. And while it originally launched in 2019, it still has a decent amount of hardware for most people. , Google will continue to support it with timely software updates and patches for another year or two.
The AG Deals Store has a sale on pre-owned versions of the Google Pixel 3a, listing them for just $150 right now. Sold unlocked, it will work with your carrier of choice, and has a 30-day parts and labor warranty.
If you’re the type to only replace your device every few years, this would a great, and affordable way, of buying time until your next purchase.
Pixel 3a Highlights
Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 + Android 9.ย Flip through menus, run home screens, apps & more
LTE unlocked.ย Choose the network that you want to use
Network access.ย Browse the net & download videos, music, and movies
12MP camera.ย Record your favorite memories with good resolutions
Many of you are likely familiar with the so-called “Big Four” wireless service providers of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. A lot of people might assume that this is pretty much all there is when it comes to carrier choice in the US. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Most of the top-tier carriers offer their own prepaid services with different rate plans, phone selection, and support. Let’s take a look at AT&T Prepaid.
About AT&T Prepaid
Once known as GoPhone, AT&T Prepaid operates in the US using the same network as its tier-one brand and, for the most part, provides nearly identical coverage. One key difference is that there is no third party coverage in pockets of states such as Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska.
AT&T Prepaid features include no annual contract, no credit check, and easy activation.
What are AT&T Prepaid rate plans like?
AT&T Prepaid rate plans let subscribers go month-to-month with no long-term agreement or cancellation fees. Moreover, it does not charge for going over your allotted data; you receive “throttled” 2G speeds on data for the remainder of the bill cycle.
The prices shown below are with automatic bill payment, or AutoPay. Rate plans may vary based on limited-time promotions.
$30/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 5GB of high-speed data
$40/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 15GB high-speed data
$65/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data
$75/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data
What’s with the two unlimited plans?
You’ll note that there are two plans with “unlimited” data. The $55 option normally costs $65 per month while the $50 one usually runs $75 per month.
It definitely makes more sense to go with the cheaper plan as you get a lot more for your money. The main catch, however, is that it’s for new customers only.
Here’s what’s notably different between the two:
$55 plan: Data may be slowed in times of congestion
$50 plan: Allows for access to 5G network speeds, data may be slowed in times of congestion after 22GB used, includes 10GB mobile hotspot, 100GB cloud storage, and video streams can be up to 1080p
Mobile hotspot/tethering is available to most of the plans as an add-on. There are other features available for the various plan, including unlimited calls and text to Mexico and Canada or usage in Mexico and Canada. Those on the 2GB or 8GB plans who do not use the allotted amount will be able to roll it over to the next month.
Multi-Month Plans
AT&T has three online-only offers for customers who opt to pay in advance. A 3-month plan ($99) gives users 8GB of data per month; a 6-month plan ($180) brings the price down to $30 per month; a 12-month plan ($300) equates to $25 per month.
It includes unlimited talk and text within the US, Mexico & Canada, and unlimited text from the US to 100+ countries. These are limited time offers with no known expiration date.
Are there any other features worth noting?
AT&T Prepaid offers add-ons such as international calling and monthly data plans for tablets and hotspots. Moreover, add-on data can be purchased in the event you hit your plan’s data threshold.
What about family plans?
Customers interested in family plans or multiple lines can do so with discounted pricing. As of today AT&T Prepaid offers a discount on each line, when adding a line of service. Additionally, there’s also a discount for AutoPay, automatic bill payment. It’s possible to mix and match plans based off of individual data needs.
As one might expect, the overall selection pales in comparison to the standard AT&T brand and skews toward affordability instead of power. For those looking to save money there are also a handful devices which are certified restored.
A few phones have promotions which might add credit to your account or save money when paired with a particular rate plan.
Can I bring my own phone to AT&T Prepaid?
You can often use your current phone on AT&T Prepaid, especially if it was previously paired with the standard AT&T service. Contact your current service provider to see if you can unlock your phone for usage on AT&T.
We’re also seeing a growing trend of unlocked phones with support for AT&T and its Prepaid bands sold direct to consumer. Examples include models from Samsung, Motorola, Blu, Nokia, and Alcatel.
