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Google Fi Wireless Unveils Family-Centric App Redesign for Enhanced Digital Safety

Anubhav — Tue, 23 May 2023 03:17:35 +0000

Google Fi Wireless, the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operated by Google, has recently announced the rollout of a redesigned companion app. This update not only introduces a fresh name and new plan features but also brings a family-centric focus to the app for both Android and iOS users. The aim is to provide users with enhanced control over their family’s digital safety settings and simplify the management of family members within the app.

The Rebranded Google Fi App has a Material Design

The revamped app prominently displays a “Cycle ends” countdown in the top-right corner of the Home feed, ensuring users stay aware of their billing cycle. Large user avatars are featured in top tabs, starting with the “Group” tab that showcases offers, deals, and plan highlights. Material You shapes on these tabs provide informative content about the benefits available to customers. The “Manage plan” section allows users to view costs, list members and devices, and make changes to their plan.

While scrolling, the tabs remain docked along with the app bar, making navigation convenient. However, users who are the sole members of their Fi plan may find the design slightly sparse, with a significant amount of empty space, particularly at the top. Nevertheless, relevant cards related to offers and deals will still populate the feed.

For managers overseeing the account, a data usage card displays Overall and Daily views, excluding those on Unlimited plans. The “Your safety features” or “Help protect [user]” section prominently presents the status of crucial safety settings like Silence unknown callers, receive calls or texts only from phone contacts, location sharing, and data alerts. Phone and Account settings remain unchanged, with the “International features” toggles placed at the bottom.

The Google Fi Wireless app redesign is being rolled out with V85 on Android. Users have reported widespread activation of the server-side component within the past day, indicating a full-scale deployment of the new features and interface.

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Google Fi 5G Support Now Available on iPhone 12 Onwards with Latest iOS 16.4 Update

Anubhav — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 03:31:45 +0000

Google Fi is a wireless service provider owned by Google that uses a combination of Wi-Fi hotspots, cellular networks, and data-only SIM cards to provide wireless service to customers. It offers a range of plans, including pay-as-you-go, a flat-rate unlimited data plan, and a flexible plan that charges customers only for the data they use. Google Fi uses multiple cellular networks and switches between them depending on which network offers the strongest signal in a given area. It also offers international roaming at no extra cost and is compatible with a range of devices.

Finally, Google Fi has extended its 5G network support to Apple iPhone smartphones via the latest iOS 16.4 official version software update. Previously, Google Fi users on iPhones could only use T-Mobile’s 4G network. The expansion of the 5G network to iPhones is part of Google Fi’s strategy to broaden its service offering to more devices. Initially only available on Google Pixel phones, the service has since been extended to a wide range of Android devices, and most recently, iPhones using 4G (with 5G Support)

Users will need an iPhone 12 or later model and must enable the “5G Auto” switch option under “Cellular Data Options” in the “Settings” menu to connect to a 5G network. Google Fi has been slow to provide iOS users with new features but recently allowed the use of built-in VPN functionality and eSIM. Google Fi offers a different type of plan with simpler pricing and smarter coverage, allowing subscribers to pay only for the data they use or opt for unlimited data. Additionally, users with compatible devices can use the Google Fi eSIM service instead of relying on a physical SIM card.

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Google Fi calls will now be end-to-end encrypted for Android users

Jeet — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 06:04:35 +0000

Google has a mobile network service in the United States named Google Fi and the company has been actively promoting it with new offers and bundles. Recently, Google introduced a new bundle subscription plan named Pixel Pass.

Now, the search engine giant has announced that Google Fi will be enabling enhanced protection for calls with end-to-end encryption on Android smartphones. However, it’s noteworthy that the feature will only work for calls between Google Fi customers.

This means that the calls made through Google Fi to other carriers won’t be getting the same level of protection. The company has also said that the end-to-end encryption for a call will include audio and visual cues so that users know immediately that their calls are end-to-end encrypted.

There will be a unique ring sound when the customer is making calls using Google’s Phone app, to indicate encryption. It will also show a lock symbol on the call screen to visually indicate that the call is protected.

For those who are unaware, end-to-end encryption means that no one should be able to listen in on your calls and that your private conversations can stay that way. Only the user making the call and the one receiving will can hear the conversation.

Google is already providing end-to-end encryption for its Messages app. The company recently added support for WhatsApp backups to Google Drive with an extra level of protection by offering end-to-end encryption for chats.