News

Nokia maker releases a global SIM card, literally ‘connecting people’

No roaming charges in 120 countries

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HMD Global unveiled a slew of Nokia-branded phones via an online-only event. As it turns out, the company is ambitious about the mobile future and it’s not just limited to hardware. They’ve also announced an HMD Connect SIM card that provides up to 1GB of data with a validity of 14 days. Obviously, the user can opt to purchase more bandwidth. How’s this different from your local telecom operator?

It will work in 120 countries without a hitch and no extra charges on top, also generally known as “roaming” cost. You can purchase the Starter Kit from their website and it’ll cost €19.95 (US$ 22). But, if you order two Starter Kits, the second one will cost just €10 (US$ 10.8).

The Starter Kit includes 1GB of data by default and you can buy more for €9.95 (US$ 10.75) for 1GB, followed by €5 (US$ 5.4) for each additional gigabyte. The company will start sending out the kits from March 30.

HMD Connect app has been released on the Play Store where you can seamlessly manage your SIM card and top-up whenever necessary. It’ll also show you how much data is left in your account.

However, the amount of data you get depends on three zones. Zone 1 countries get 1GB of data, Zone 2 countries get 500MB, while Zone 3 countries get just 250MB. HMD Global hasn’t specified the network it’ll work on — 2G, 3G, or 4G? Guess that’ll depend on their regional partners.

The SIM card will be very handy for people who travel internationally very often. Although the same won’t be happening in the foreseeable future because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Air travel has been radically shut down by most countries, so the timing of the launch isn’t in HMD Global’s favor.

HMD Global has the license to produce Nokia-branded phones worldwide and it has relied massively on Nokia’s legacy to boost sales. While there’s no doubt that its offerings are top-notch and competitive, it continues to churn the nostalgia wheel by releasing classics like the recently announced Nokia 5310.

The SIM card is literally about “connecting people”. This used to be Nokia’s iconic tagline during the golden days.

News

Apple might focus on AI for WWDC 2026

There will be integrations with Google.

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Throughout the entire AI “era,” Apple kept its nose clean by not shoving Apple Intelligence to its users during every event. After the significant time of keeping clean, the brand might finally sink more chips into the AI space next month.

As history tells, the annual WWDC event is a time for the brand to showcase its developments for software. You won’t see a lot of iPhones, but you will see a lot of iOS. And with that, AI is par for the course.

According to The Information, the upcoming WWDC 2026 will showcase a lot of on-device AI. Interestingly, the report does not specifically name Apple Intelligence as the spotlight. Rather, Apple might focus on integrating its chips with AI and its partnership with Google’s Gemini.

Rather than a continuous push towards creating their own AI, the company might do more to integrate existing technologies to keep pace with the industry. Despite being announced almost two years ago, Apple Intelligence has not delivered much of what its contemporaries are providing for its users.

Ironically, the brand has carved a nice niche for itself in the space precisely by staying away from heavy doses of AI. Both Microsoft and Google, on the other hand, have crafted infamy by shoving unnecessary AI-based features towards their users, regardless of whether they want them or not. Hopefully, Apple keeps its reputation after WWDC 2026.

SEE ALSO: Google mocks Apple Intelligence in Pixel 10 ad

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Gaming

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has been officially announced

And it’s coming out on the Switch 2.

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Compared to the crazier news we’ve gotten so far, a new Call of Duty doesn’t seem like it should make a ripple, but it does. Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and it’s coming out on the Nintendo Switch 2.

This year’s mainline entry has a couple of firsts for the ubiquitous franchise. For one, Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It’s the first time that the series is dropping the last generation of consoles. Secondly, it’s launching for the Switch 2, marking the first time that the franchise is coming out on a Nintendo system since 2013. Finally, it won’t launch as a day-one release on the Game Pass.

Besides the reshuffling of launch outlets, Modern Warfare 4 will offer much of the same from the franchise: bombastic campaigns with global stakes and a thriving palette of multiplayer modes.

This time around, players will start the campaign as Private Park, a South Korean soldier thrust into a war as North Korea suddenly invades its southern neighbor. Players will also face assignments in Mumbai and New York. Captain Price is, of course, coming back but as an outlaw in pursuit of a powerful weapon.

For multiplayer, Activision promises more improvements yet again for movement and gunplay. Modern Warfare 4 will also introduce new modes such as Kill Block, which features maps that change after every round. DMZ is coming back, of course.

Activision promises more updates coming throughout the year. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will launch for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2 on October 23, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Call of Duty drops the PlayStation 4 starting with its next game

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Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

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Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.

SEE ALSO: Instagram takes on Snapchat yet again with new Instants feature

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