In May 2017, the vast majority of Android users lost the ability to use Hangouts as an SMS/MMS client. Google Fi subscribers were exempted, but that support could be coming to an end as the eventual deprecation of classic Hangouts nears.
Google has long imposed a restriction where Voice users cannot have separate Fi numbers. That is now changing today with the ability to have both coexist on the same account.
Over the past day, a strange Google Fi bug has emerged where long texts are received as Chinese characters. There is currently no fix beyond sending shorter messages.
Last month, Google started letting new MVNO subscribers with iPhones set-up cellular service over eSIM. Google Fi is now starting to roll out eSIM support to existing members using iOS devices.
Those of us with Android phones can connect the Google Messages app to “Messages for web” as a way to manage SMS and RCS from a browser. Google is getting ready to take things a step further for Google Fi customers by bringing calls and voicemails to the same Messages web app.
Electronic SIM cards are remarkably convenient and do away with the need for a tiny piece of plastic when setting up cellular service. After supporting Pixel devices for several years, Google Fi can now be activated on an iPhone through eSIM.
Motorola has long made phones that are fully compatible with Google’s MVNO. Ahead of their launch this week, Google Fi has listed the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power as “coming soon.”
With more and more people working from home or participating in remote learning, fast internet is crucial. Google Fi today detailed its response to COVID-19 in regards to late payments and data speed limits.
Last February, Google announced an expansion of its MVNO partnership with Sprint to include 5G. Google Fi now looks to already be leveraging T-Mobile’s 5G network on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
After expanding to Best Buy, Target, and even international airport terminals in the past year, Google Fi SIM cards are now available at Amazon. This continues the MVNO’s push to lower the barrier to switching.
From the beginning, signing up for Google Fi has required that you forgo Google Voice. Work is now under way to separate that interdependency, starting with voicemail access, with users one day able to use both services separately.
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The early days of Google Fi were littered with MVNO subscribers getting great branded swag from the annual holiday gift. That diminished as the cellular service grew, but Fi customers this year are getting a free Nest Mini.
The best Google Fi experience and full functionality is unsurprisingly on Pixel devices that the company has direct input over and access to during development. Today, the MVNO is bringing spam warnings, Wi-Fi calling, and other existing Fi features to non-Google Pixel phones.
In addition to the Google Store kicking off Black Friday deals on Pixel 4 and Pixel Slate today, Google Fi’s “holiday savings” are now underway. Instead of a straight discount, the MVNO has an interesting offer that essentially discounts the Made by Google flagships by 50%.
Nearly a month after the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL went on sale, last year’s phone is now out of stock at both the Google Store and Fi. The Pixel 3 is no longer available to purchase in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Google Fi is a good deal for international travelers at $10 per GB in over 200 countries and territories. The MVNO is now directly targeting those potential customers by selling SIM cards at international airport terminals in the U.S.
Despite missteps and issues, if you happen to have a Pixel 4 on Google Fi, you can now enable RCS messaging with DSDS support also added.
In addition to this morning’s expansion of SIM cards to Target, Google Fi today is selling the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL at 25% off. This sees Made by Google’s mid-range 2019 phone drop to $299.
Last week, Google Fi announced that it would be taking advantage of DSDS starting on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. In addition to the eSIM, a SIM is required and Google today is making Fi SIM cards available at Target.
After we detailed yesterday, Google officially announced Fi’s new “dual connect technology” this morning. Starting on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, the MVNO will be able to simultaneously connect your phone with two LTE networks for better coverage and faster switching.
One key aspect of Fi is the ability to switch between different networks for the best connection. Google had to exclude this feature when the MVNO rolled out to all Android and iOS phones late last year, but now looks to be working on a new implementation that will make switching faster.
Following the launch of the new Fi Unlimited plan last month, Google today is rolling out a night-friendly look for the Android client. The Google Fi dark theme is a quite straightforward implementation.
Last week, Google Fi launched a new Unlimited plan that includes both data and international calling. The new MVNO offering is now being promoted on the Google homepage in the U.S.
The last time Google discounted the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL by 50% off was in April for the carrier’s fourth birthday. With today’s launch of Google Fi Unlimited, the Pixel 3 deal is now back.
