Columbus, OH

To get the fastest speeds, devices should use a wired Ethernet connection for internet access whenever possible. Computers, consoles, and even some smart home devices can tap into Ethernet for the best performance. However, it's impossible to understate the importance of Wi-Fi in 2024. There are plenty of devices that need it, from the best smartphones to internet-connected appliances and lights. If your Wi-Fi speeds are feeling slow, it's easy to immediately call up an internet service provider (ISP) to upgrade to a more expensive plan with faster speeds and higher data limits.

4 reasons you should upgrade your router before your internet plan

If you have a mobile data plan, you can share your internet connection using your smartphone's hotspot feature or the USB tethering option. Alternatively, you can use public Wi-Fi, buy a dedicated mobile hotspot device, or visit a nearby co-working space. If your neighbor uses a different ISP, you can...

How I Keep My Devices Online During an Internet Outage

SlashGear

In 2024, a new product category popped up among wireless internet providers: Reduced-capacity plans at lower prices than their standard home or traveling internet plans — targeting home and business users who want a backup option in case their primary broadband service fails. First up was T-Mobile Home Internet Backup, a 5G cellular service that offers 130GB of transfer per month at a monthly fee of $20 to $40 depending on if you use autopay or are a T-Mobile voice customer. With the hardware included for free, that's not a bad deal for some extra peace of mind. And now, one of T-Mobile's biggest competitors in wireless broadband, Elon Musk's satellite-based internet service provider, Starlink, has introduced the smaller Starlink Mini hardware and a related $50, 50GB Mini Roam plan.

Starlink Mini Is Mobile Satellite Internet Cheap Enough To Be Your Outage Backup Plan

T-Mobile has built up its 5G network for home internet connections, but it’s not stopping with wireless infrastructure. T-Mobile has now announced its purchase of another internet service provider with existing fiber optic infrastructure. T-Mobile announced today that it has agreed to acquire Metronet, a fiber internet service provider...

T-Mobile Is Growing Its Fiber Internet Network, Again

Your home internet options could certainly be worse if you’re choosing between fiber or cable internet. Both technologies are at the top when it comes to speed, plan variety and overall value, but fiber will have the advantage more often than not. Of the two internet connection types, fiber...

Cable vs. Fiber Internet: Comparing the Top Techs

TechSpot

You might think that getting a second phone number requires purchasing another SIM card or even an additional device. This can be particularly challenging if your current phone doesn't support dual SIM cards. Such a situation can be inconvenient and compromise both your privacy and comfort. If this is a concern for you, it may be worth exploring the option of obtaining a virtual phone number.

How to get a second phone number on your mobile phone

The Federal Communications Commission wants to eliminate a pain point for customers by forcing wireless carriers to unlock phone within 60 days of activation. Carriers often require lock phones to their network, keeping them locked for months, or even years. The practice is designed to discourage customers from switching to a rival service. Unfortunately, it also inhibits other options. For example, Android users wanting to install a more secure version of Android—such as GrapheneOS or CalyxOS—cannot do so unless the phone is unlocked.

FCC Wants Carriers To Unlock Customers’ Phones Within 60 Days

Sometimes, even the best routers can experience slowdowns. Bad internet speeds are common from time to time, but there might be a hidden culprit lurking in the background as the root cause — your VPN. There are a lot of great VPN providers out there, but they sometimes have the consequence of impacting your internet speed. Here are a few ways you can detect and fix the problem.

How to improve your internet speed while using a VPN

Are you getting a lot of spam text messages? Being interrupted by a notification on your iPhone, only to find it's yet another junk message, is tiring. Like phishing emails, these messages are often the starting point for scammers targeting potential victims. These scammers can pose as marketers selling a product or as ordinary people trying to connect with a friend but pretending to have the wrong number.

How to stop spam texts on your iPhone in 3 easy steps

Even if you don't use AT&T, you've more than likely heard of the company's variety of unlimited data plans. These plans have taken many different forms over the years, with many going on to be discontinued to make way for new and improved plans. More recently, AT&T retired some of its longtime unlimited plans such as AT&T Unlimited Extra, AT&T Unlimited Starter, and AT&T Unlimited Premium. While you aren't required to switch if you're already on an unlimited plan that's been retired, keeping it won't help if you're trying to save on your AT&T bill.

You Might Want To Ditch Your Old AT&T Unlimited Plan, Here's Why

July's Supplemental Security Income payment was the typical monthly payment that recipients expect, but August and September will be a bit different. We'll explain why below. Also, if you didn't know, you might be getting a boost to your checks later this year. SSI benefits are managed by the Social...

SSI Beneficiaries Are Getting Two Payments in August. Here's Why

North Carolina State

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Town Talks

As North Carolina continues to attract new residents, understanding the rights and obligations of both tenants and landlords becomes increasingly important. Here’s what you need to know about landlord entry and tenant rights in the state.

Can landlords enter at any time, or is it trespassing? Here are the rules in North Carolina

It’s been two years since Apple released the third generation of its budget iPhone series, the iPhone SE. We liked it for its flagship-level performance at a modest price. We might get its fourth iteration early next year if the rumors are correct. There have been around two years...

We Could Get the iPhone SE 4 Early Next Year

Update: This deal has expired and is no longer available on Amazon. Instead, you can find the same offer directly on Boost Mobile's website. With every major shopping event, like Amazon Prime Day, comes a "free phone" deal. As you'd expect, they're almost always too good to be true, whether offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Amazon. The latest variation comes via Boost Mobile, who's selling any iPhone 15 model, including the Pro Max, for just one penny. What's the deal with this deal? I break down the fine print below.

You can still buy an iPhone 15 for one cent after Prime Day - everything to know

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Carol Perez

There are lots of places in the US where you don’t necessarily need a car. There might be good public transportation and/or your area might be walkable, but for others, this might not be the case.

Free Car Programs: 16 Ways to Get a Car Without Paying

Right now, you can save $600 when you buy the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 2000 Plus in the post-Amazon Prime Day deals, bringing this incredible unit down to just $2.399 (with Amazon Prime membership). You'll save even more when you bundle additional solar panels. Also: The best Prime Day...

This portable battery station can power your home for 2 weeks, and it's still $600 off

Only about a quarter of patients prescribed Ozempic or Wegovy stay on the drugs for more than two years, according to a newly published investigation, which suggests many recipients of the weight loss and diabetes treatment injections may be quitting due to adverse health effects and other reasons. Ozempic (semaglutide)...

Patients Usually Stop Taking Ozempic, Wegovy Injections After Just Two Years: Reuters

The last Social Security Disability Insurance payments for the month of July are headed out soon. If you expect to receive a check this week or aren't sure what week you should expect your payment, we'll break it down below. If you still haven't received your June SSDI check, here's what you can do.

SSDI July 2024: This Is When You'll Get Your Money

Snopes

For years, people believed the term meant "wireless fidelity."

Fact Check: What Does 'Wi-Fi' Stand For?

Homes & Gardens

Who is liable if my neighbor's tree falls in my yard? I spoke to legal experts to find out more about your rights and obligations

Who is liable if my neighbor's tree falls in my yard? Legal experts advise

NewsBreak

How to Keep Your Internet on When the Power Is Out

Brutal heat and violent storms can wreak havoc on strained power grids, and this summer may be one of the worst on record. If extreme weather...

How to Keep Your Internet on When the Power Is Out

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