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A24 TECHNOLOGY
Monday 23 SepteMber 2019
Why you don't need a 5G phone just yet

NEW YORK (AP) — No 5G The price gap is expected
iPhone? No problem. You to narrow and eventually
probably don't want one disappear as 5G becomes
anyway. a standard feature, Geoff
For most people, it's smart Blaber of CCS Insight said.
to stick with a smartphone NETWORK LIMITATIONS
that isn't compatible with Even as phone companies
speedier 5G wireless net- make big claims about
works, which are just start- revolutionary new applica-
ing to roll out. That's the tions, 5G coverage is limited
case even if you think you'll to certain neighborhoods
be hanging on to your next in a handful of cities. While
phone for a few years. 5G phones can still con-
Not only are the first-gen- nect over existing 4G LTE
eration 5G phones expen- networks, "are you willing to
sive, their antennas and spend extra for something
modems typically work only you might not see consis-
with particular 5G networks tently until 2021?" IHS Markit
owned by specific mobile analyst Josh Builta asks.
carriers. That could limit 5G is actually a set of wire-
your options if you're try- less technologies using
ing to get the faster speeds different parts of the air-
while roaming overseas or This Aug. 7, 2019 file photo shows the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, right, and the Galaxy Note 10 Plus waves. Each wireless carrier
on a rival company's net- on display during a launch event in New York. emphasizes a different fla-
work — or if you decide to Associated Press vor of 5G, and each one is
switch providers later. selling 5G phones designed
Experts say second-gener- Google apps because of a But Motorola said such first- the 5G model costs $1,300, specifically for its network.
ation phones in the com- U.S. ban on tech exports to generation products pri- though Samsung said it also Wireless networks have a
ing year will address those the Chinese company. marily suit early adopters showcases the company's history of Balkanization,
and other shortcomings. Although 5G phones are a who need to be first on the best features, including a although it tends to sort it-
The research firm IDC, call- niche product, IHS Markit block. larger screen and a better self out. Verizon and Sprint
ing 2019 "an introductory said phone makers haven't New iPhones out Friday camera. For Motorola, 5G have been using a wireless
year at best," expects 5G been able to keep up with won't support 5G. Apple comes as a $350 option for technology called CDMA,
phones to make up 9% of surprisingly strong demand, typically waits for tech- the existing Moto Z series while AT&T and T-Mobile
worldwide shipments next especially in South Korea. nology to mature before phones. use an incompatible ver-
year and 28% in 2023. Samsung said it has sold 2 adopting it. "This territory is reserved for sion called GSM. Early on,
THE TARGET MARKET million 5G phones world- THE PRICE OF 5G the leading-edge type of phone makers produced
Samsung, Motorola, LG and wide since April and ex- The speedy wireless tech- consumer, those willing to separate CDMA and GSM
OnePlus already make 5G pects to double that by the nology can add a few sacrifice a bit more money models. But as technology
phones that use Google's end of the year. Motorola hundred dollars to phone up front to be first," said advanced, they were able
Android system. Huawei said it has seen "tremen- price tags. For instance, Wayne Lam, an analyst at to pack all the necessary
announced one Thursday, dous engagement and ex- Samsung's standard Gal- IHS Markit. "Longer term is antennas and components
though it's missing popular citement" from customers. axy S10 phone costs $900; where the smart money is." into universal phones. q

Facebook slashes price, size

of Portal video call gadget

television set will be $149. tal has been redesigned to Bosworth, vice president
Last year's models were look less like a space-age of virtual reality and aug-
bigger and cost more — gadget and more like a mented reality. "But that's
$199 for a 10.1 inch display picture frame. not the point of it, it's not
and $349 for at 15.6 inch The product is also launch- something that is going to
screen. ing in more countries and be material to Facebook."
Facebook isn't saying how will work with WhatsApp For instance, if someone
many Portals it's sold since to make video calls, in ad- makes a lot of video calls
it launched the first models dition to Facebook's Mes- on Portal, they might see
In this photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, new Facebook Por-
tal products are displayed during an event in San Francisco. last fall. It remains unclear senger app. And will now ads for video calling de-
Associated Press how many people want a stream Amazon Prime vid- vices elsewhere. But Face-
Facebook-branded smart eos. book says it doesn't use the
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — into more homes. camera in their homes, giv- Facebook has tried to as- content of the calls for ad
Facebook is slashing the A smaller version will now en the company's history of suage privacy concerns targeting, though Bosworth
price and the size of the cost $129 and will come privacy problems . with the Portal. The service declined to commit to nev-
Portal, its screen and cam- with an 8 inch display. A Facebook executives un- will not show ads, but "we er doing so in the future.
era-equipped gadget for larger version with a 10 inch veiled the new gadget at are using Facebook's in- The Portal and the Portal
making video calls with display will cost $179. a small event in San Fran- frastructure, so some data Mini go on sale Oct. 15; the
friends and family as it at- A new screenless Portal cisco this week. In addition may inform ads on Face- screenless version ships on
tempts to get the device device that attaches to a to losing a few inches, Por- book," said Andrew "Boz" Nov. 5.q