The Picture Of The Day (Google Pixel 2) + 6 Also-Rans — December 29, 2017.
I Am Using Google “Project Fi” For My Wireless Service On My Pixel 2 — With Seperate “Google Voice”.
In theory I had “Consumer Cellular” in the past BUT I very rarely used my old phone.
So, when I decided to get a Google Pixel 2, for Christmas, mainly for its camera, I looked around to see what other carrier options were available — for a reasonable price. Project Fi was rather obvious.
It is NATIVELY supported on the Pixel 2 without the need for a SIM card. The Pixel 2 has a so called eSIM for Project Fi built in. The plans were reasonable given I didn’t need much data. PLUS, it supports calling and txt over Wi-Fi seamlessly.
The ONLY wrinkle I encountered is that of Google Voice.
Being Google you have to use a Google Account to signup/setup Project Fi.
IF that account has a Google Voice number Project Fi PREFERS to use that. BUT, when it does so it kills your Google Voice!
Yes, you can ask for a different number BUT there is, from what I can see, at least a short period of time when Google Fi owns your original Google voice number before releasing it. That made me very uncomfortable BECAUSE I use Google Voice with my ObiTalk Obi110.
So, I created a new Google account just to use with Project Fi and associated that with an area code ‘603’ (i.e., NH) phone number. This was not a big deal because you can share Google accounts across GMail, Google Drive, Google Photos etc.
With that account in place signing up and activating the wireless service on the Pixel 2 was a piece of cake. Took less than 15 minutes in total. It also only took about 20 minutes for Project Fi to activate my new number.
I get good voice/txt coverage. Not yet sure about data. But, so far, I am happy.
I just recommend that you be CAREFUL about which Google Voice number you go in with. OK?
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Garmin Vivoactive 3 Firmware 2.80, Released Dec. 28, 2017 — Supposedly Fixes Battery Drain!
You should be able to find the latest firmware news here.
Well we all knew that Garmin would have to fix the battery drain problem at some point. It was serious. So, this appears to be the first attempt. I haven’t had 2.8 firmware running for ling enough to tell whether it has made a difference. I will, of course, monitor and keep you posted.
I need to charge my Vivoactive 3 this evening, and whenever I do (since I do it on my main PC), I fire up Garmin Express to check on the software. It took a LONG TIME to sync so I suspected that new firmware was being downloaded. I was right.
Firmware 2.70 for the Garmin Vivoactive 3 was released on Friday, December 8, 2017. So, 2.8o was released within 20 days. Their usual goal is once a month. I am GLAD.
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>>>> Search ‘Fitbit’ & ‘Garmin’.