Qualcomm has designed the upcoming Snapdragon 865 Plus especially for artificial intelligence and gaming use, boosting the original 865's clock speed by 10% and enabling peak speeds of 3.6 Gbps. The upgraded chip will also support Wi-Fi 6E technology on smartphones and will render graphics in less time than the previous version did, but will not have an integrated modem.

Verizon will offer the Galaxy A71 5G UW phone for $649, making it the least expensive 5G model the carrier offers. The launch is scheduled for July 16, and the 6.7-inch Samsung handset includes a number of camera features as well as the Snapdragon 765G from Qualcomm.

Phillips 66 will use integration services from Accenture and AT&T spectrum in the 4G private network it's testing at an oil refinery. None of the companies provided details about vendors, use cases or cost, but Phillips said the technology will help cover holes in public networks and provide a gateway to 5G and internet of things applications.

T-Mobile has started offering its Home Internet service in three Michigan counties, following last year's trial run near Grand Rapids. The 4G fixed wireless platform provides 50 megabits of data per second on average, without caps or long-term contracts, but customers do have to schedule automatic payments.

James Corden's production company will create an animated series, "Real Pigeons Fight Crime," for Nickelodeon under a multi-platform deal. The show is based on an series of books from Australians Ben Wood and Andrew McDonald.

NBCUniversal's decision to limit commercials on its upcoming ad-supported Peacock service to five minutes an hour could serve as a template for other NBC properties as the Comcast company moves to unify sales of its linear and digital programming. NBCU ad sales chief Linda Yaccarino says limiting ads and other moves are largely aimed at viewers used to commercial-free formats.

Verizon joined Ericsson for a successful trial of technology that would enable the carrier to power 5G tower sites while awaiting regulatory approval and completion of fiber infrastructure. The technology -- integrated access backhaul -- could prove especially useful for first responders.

Amazon Prime Video is finally adding user profiles, allowing subscribers to manage up to six personalized profiles per household.

Geoffrey Starks, a member of the Federal Communications Commission, says the term "digital divide" is dated, preferring "internet inequality," and called for the expansion of existing access programs. Starks adds that many in urban communities "are being forced to consider the trade-off between putting food on the table, paying the electricity bill or paying for internet."

Cellphone location data can help fight the spread of the coronavirus by alerting health officials when crowds form in particular areas, Colorado State University researchers say. "All we have to do is perform the measurements using anonymous data that is already being collected for other reasons. We are not tracking individuals," explains Edwin Chong, a CSU professor.