For example, today’s consumer VR headsets—like the Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus Quest 2)—integrate high-definition displays, speakers, microphones, sensors, computer chips, and wireless connections to create the illusion of being immersed in virtual realms. But that’s just one aspect of VR. Users still need to choose the apps or environments that they want to be involved with or interact in.

deliver wireless broadband to homes and businesses without expensive fiber optic cables.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Wireless access to broadband for homes and business locations linking to towers. It replaces fiber optic connections and Wi-Fi. Latency: The time taken by data to travel between the sender and receiver. Low-band: Frequency ranges used for 5G between 600 MHz and 900 MHz.

XR developers are optimistic about the rollout of 5G wireless service—both in the US and around the world. Higher-speed 5G networks are expected to eliminate many persistent technical difficulties and boost XR’s viability.

The news: Wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon are postponing the planned December 5 rollout of the new 5G spectrum as concerns about potential interference with cockpit safety systems are addressed, per The Wall Street Journal.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Wireless access to broadband for homes and business locations linking to towers. It replaces fiber optic connections and Wi-Fi. Latency: The time taken by data to travel between the sender and receiver. Low-band: Frequency ranges used for 5G between 600 MHz and 900 MHz.

Wireless earbuds and other hearables were abundant at CES, with many models featuring active noise-cancelling technology and other features such as sound amplification, the ability to translate between languages, to invoke voice assistants or enhance speech quality. The CTA expects shipments of wireless earbuds in the US alone to grow by 35% this year.

If money were no object when buying consumer tech, many US adults would upgrade their phones and improve their home security. 5G-compatible smartphones and video doorbells ranked highest among the consumer electronics they would most like to have, followed by robot vacuums, wireless earphones, and connected exercise equipment. More like this:. Report: US Connected Cars Forecast 2021.

And the third is enhanced coverage inside the home with wireless mesh networks like Eero, the company that was acquired by Amazon in early 2019. Now you have much stronger, deeper internet connections at home—voice-assisted devices in the house and monitoring devices outside the house. Will voice control continue to be the main utility in smart-home technology?

Unlimited plans like these are essential for the future of 5G wireless communications, which inevitably requires large amounts of data. The free upgrade to unlimited is just one of several new initiatives by T-Mobile to bring in more subscribers to its 5G network. Home internet: T-Mobile officially made its fixed wireless home internet available to 30 million US residents this week.

For example, Verizon’s digital-forward retail card offers some cardholders a monthly discount on their wireless bills if they use Auto Pay via the card, which encourages card use while keeping Verizon cheaper than competitors. Providers could also offer limited discounts on paid services to entice usage.

According to research firm Rewheel, as of March 2021, Canada is among the most expensive wireless markets worldwide. When we look at time spent specifically among adult monthly social media users—of which there will be 21.5 million in Canada in 2021—the daily average comes to 1:05 this year. Facebook’s Still Tops, but for How Long?

Multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD): A service provider that delivers programming over cable, satellite, or wireline or wireless networks. Over-the-top (OTT): Any app or website that provides streaming video content over the internet and bypasses traditional distribution; examples include HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube.

The Amazon Business American Express Card lets cardholders opt for rewards and earn 3% back on their first $120,000 spent on Amazon each year, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and on wireless phone service. Or they can opt for financing and receive 60 days to pay without interest.

The news: While MacBook Pros and the new M1 Pro and M1 Max processors were the big announcements at Apple’s fall event, the company also refreshed its popular AirPods wireless earbuds and announced new colors and capabilities for its HomePod mini smart speakers. How we got here: Apple was late to the smart speaker party with the $350 HomePod in 2018.

This move would echo Apple’s decision to remove the headphone jack from its phones, but unlike wireless headphones, wireless charging tech still leaves much to be desired.

Paul Carter, CEO and founder of Global Wireless Solutions, a wireless network testing and consumer research company. What’s next: The onus is on carriers to build out standalone 5G connectivity beyond the limited pockets of access across US cities. Consumers are already losing interest in 5G service and its advantages—67% of consumers are not excited about 5G, per Waveform.

Multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD): A service provider that delivers TV programming over cable, satellite, or wireline or wireless networks. Over-the-top (OTT): Any app or website that provides streaming video content over the internet and bypasses traditional distribution; examples include HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube.

The wireless hearables market grew a striking 78% year over year (YoY) in 2020, per a recent Counterpoint report. According to the report, that growth was driven in large part by the strong performance of mid- and low-priced wearable options under $100. IDC's Wearables Team research director Ramon T.

The problem: Previously, the lack of broadband and wireless infrastructure was believed to be the key obstacle to greater adoption. But the high cost of smartphones and corresponding services is the real sticking point. The average selling price of new smartphones from 2016 to 2021 was $317, per Statista.

For example, earlier this year T-Mobile started offering Magenta MAX, a truly unlimited wireless plan without data throttling, which forced AT&T to release its own competing plan several months later.