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Alan Lopez
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Alan Lopez

Alan is a lifestyle blogger, marketing manager, and art director who has been covering electronics and media culture for so long, he remembers being disconnected from the internet whenever somebody would pick up the phone.

35
Articles
7.7
Avg. Min Read
2024
Writing Since
What Is a ‘Dumb Phone’? A Quiet Rebellion Against Smartphones Is Building
General

What Is a ‘Dumb Phone’? A Quiet Rebellion Against Smartphones Is Building

“Imagine a device as powerful as a calculator,” Steve Jobs never once said while standing on a dimly lit stage. He also never took a flip-phone out from his jean pockets before asking us to gaze into the past.  Yet, had Apple’s former CEO ever announced, “Our new device can make and receive calls,” it […]

How to Buy a Phone Number in 2026
General

How to Buy a Phone Number in 2026

If you’ve landed here, you’re likely already familiar with the fact that you don’t have to stick to “carrier assigned phone numbers.” You can purchase phone numbers that you actually want or prefer. So, let’s get into what actually matters when you’re ready to buy a phone number — because there’s a little more to […]

How to Update Caller ID Name and Number
General

How to Update Caller ID Name and Number

Caller ID might seem like a small detail, but when it’s wrong or missing entirely, it can cause real problems.  Maybe your phone shows an old business name. Maybe it says “Wireless Caller” instead of something recognizable. Or maybe your calls aren’t being answered at all because people don’t trust what they see on their […]

How to Block a Phone Number
General

How to Block a Phone Number

Spam calls, robocalls and unwanted texts have become so common that most of us receive them on a fairly regular basis. A spoofed number, a persistent telemarketer, or a flood of spammy texts can feel both annoying and unnerving. Blocking unwanted contact is one of the quickest ways to guard your phone number (and your […]

The Landline Decline: Where Corded Phones Still Exist in 2026
General

The Landline Decline: Where Corded Phones Still Exist in 2026

For decades, landline phones were the sound of home.  Today, they’re fading fast. According to the latest data, 78% of U.S. households are now wireless‑only phone users, up from 71% just one year ago, which means more than 208 million Americans rely solely on mobile phones for voice communication.  Over the past five years, landline […]

What Is a Virtual Phone Number?
General

What Is a Virtual Phone Number?

We give out our phone numbers more than we probably should. Online marketplaces, delivery drivers, work contacts… group chats that never quite die. Somewhere along the way, that one personal number becomes tied to everything — and suddenly, your phone is ringing for reasons you didn’t sign up for. That’s where virtual phone numbers come […]

Do You Own Your Phone Number? What You Need to Know Before Switching Carriers
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Do You Own Your Phone Number? What You Need to Know Before Switching Carriers

If you’re thinking about switching carriers, there’s a good chance this question has crossed your mind: do I own my phone number? It’s a fair question! Your number is tied to your bank, your work, your family group chats and half the online accounts you’ve ever signed up for. Losing it can feel like losing […]

Monitoring 2026 Mobile Trends: When Do Americans Switch Mobile Carriers the Most? 
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Monitoring 2026 Mobile Trends: When Do Americans Switch Mobile Carriers the Most? 

If it feels like everyone is switching phone carriers this year… you’re not imagining it. Americans are rethinking their phone plans in 2025 and 2026: comparing prices, weighing network performance and coverage, and trying to make sense of endless “limited-time offers.” And the major carriers are noticing. Verizon’s latest earnings report mentions pressure in certain […]

What is a Letter of Authorization?
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What is a Letter of Authorization?

A Letter of Authorization (or LOA, not to be confused with loa, spirits of Haitian Vodou) in the broadest sense, is simply what it sounds like … a formal letter or document that verifies permission and gives authority from one party to another. It can be used in a variety of contexts and circumstances, including […]

Cities with the Highest Phone Bills in 2025
By The Numbers

Cities with the Highest Phone Bills in 2025

From groceries to gas, it seems like everything has gotten more expensive in 2025. While most of us are keeping a close eye on rising prices, one recurring cost might be quietly draining your wallet: your phone bill. In some U.S. cities, residents are paying over $2,500 a year just to stay connected. But where […]

How to Get a Business Number
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How to Get a Business Number

Congratulations, entrepreneur–you’ve got a great idea, and you’re eager to get your exciting new small business going. One of the first things that separates a real business from a side project is a dedicated business phone number to use instead of your own personal one. So how do you get one? There are a lot […]

Can I Pick My Phone Number?
Ask the Pig

Can I Pick My Phone Number?

Take Control and Choose Your Phone Number Phone numbers and names are similar in that they’re typically assigned to you by someone else without giving you much say in the matter, whether it’s your parents or the phone company. While people generally know that it’s possible to change your name, did you know it’s also […]

Which Area Codes Have Produced the Best NFL Players of All-Time?
By The Numbers

Which Area Codes Have Produced the Best NFL Players of All-Time?

With the 2025–2026 season about to kick off, it’s the perfect time to look back at just how rare it is to make it to the NFL. Here’s a fun fact: if you took the amount of people who have ever played even one game in the league’s history and placed them all inside an […]

The Comprehensive Guide to International Call Forwarding
General

The Comprehensive Guide to International Call Forwarding

Chances are, you’re one of countless people living or traveling outside of the U.S. and Canada this year.  At some point, you’ll probably want to talk to your family and friends back in the States, and have them call you. But you’re wondering how to make international calls without risking huge international calling fees. There […]