Samsung Drops Under-$1000 Folding Phone; Facebook Delete Russian Anti-Vaxx Network; T-Mobile’s Fiber Home Internet; Senators Introduce App Store Side-Loading Bill

The headline from Samsung Unpacked has to be an under $1000 folding phone. The Z Flip 3 will be out August 27th, rocking a bigger cover display than last year. Samsung also rolled out the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Engadget.com reports that the selfie cam is under screen, so blends in with the display. Also, the S Pen will work with the new model…which is dropped a bit in price to $1800. Samsung claims the screen protector is 80% stronger on the newest fold. It can be preordered to day, and is on sale the 27th. As has been widely rumored, the new Galaxy Watch 4 runs Wear OS from Google. Samsung has added a 3 in 1 BioActive sensor that can measure your body fat percentage. the watch has 50% more RAM. The Watch 4 will be $249 and Watch 4 Classic will sell for $349 when they hit August 27th. Samsung also showed off Galaxy Buds 2. The new ear buds are smaller and lighter than the Galaxy Buds +, and are priced at $150.

Facebook has pulled the plug on a network of accounts from Russia that it linked to a marketing firm which was aiming to enlist influencers to push anti-vaccine content and disparage COVID-19 shots. According to Reuters, Facebook investigators called the campaign a ‘disinformation laundromat,’ creating misleading articles and petitions on forums such as Reddit, Medium, and Change.org…and using fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram to amplify the message. The accounts had been around since 2020. 

T-Mobile is selling fiber-based home internet now. Theverge.com notes it appears to something of a soft launch item, but T-Mobile has confirmed that it is testing fib er optic internet in some residential buildings, in addition to a fixed wireless product…which it launched to the public in April. The T-Mobile network rings on a local providers lines. Details are sketchy, but if the trial is successful, T-Mobile will no doubt expand it. The company advised investors that they hope to pick up 500,000 home internet customers by the end of the year. 

Three Senators have introduced a bill to allow third party app stores and side loading. 9to5mac.com reports that the trio, Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Should this pass, we can all expect more spyware, crapware, crashes, and more. Blumenthal actually understands tech and should know better. Their intentions are good…less off the top for Apple and Google, so developers can build apps cheaper and make more…but this will end up being like monkeys guarding the banana boat it it passes.