Dub Aussie Xooms - Xoom General

Pc World have picked up of the disaster that has been the Xoom in Australia and now the seven and Nine television networks are looking at covering the story !!!!
There are a growing number of very unHappy Xoom owners around the world with these devices. Telstra have now also put out an official release to warn owners against tampering with there units as contract and warranty terms will be strickly applied with no repairs offered for WiFi/3G units that fail due to owner manipulating!
Click on the link below and have a good read
goodgearguide.com.au/article/394259/motorola_bungles_xoom_software_update_/?c=539031

DEANJA0 said:
Pc World have picked up of the disaster that has been the Xoom in Australia and now the seven and Nine television networks are looking at covering the story !!!!
There are a growing number of very unHappy Xoom owners around the world with these devices. Telstra have now also put out an official release to warn owners against tampering with there units as contract and warranty terms will be strickly applied with no repairs offered for WiFi/3G units that fail due to owner manipulating!
Click on the link below and have a good read
goodgearguide.com.au/article/394259/motorola_bungles_xoom_software_update_/?c=539031
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IMO its about time that there was some news coverage on bungles like this. I hate to say it though, my Optus Xoom on 3.1 is just fine, and while my first one did have loads of dead pixels (and 3.0.1 software) the replacement I received with 3.1 is totally sweet (albeit with some battery drain with Wifi set to on always).
Motorola's excuse for "accidently" releasing 3.1 is a farce though. You only need to look at the Motorola Owners Forum manager's comments sitting on his throne letting people on Telstra know that it was released.... and then almost 5 days later (and 2 days after Telstra pulled the update) he comes in and says it was pulled...
Now those users on Telstra 3.1 are pretty screwed, as the problems are bad, and the all Motorola can say is "an update will be released in the coming weeks"...
LOL @ Motorola

Finally a Voice from Motorola Australia
After days of representations to the Australian Telco provider Telstra to date the major supplier of Xoom WiFi/3G units in Australia, I have received a phone call from a Motorola person from their Melbourne head office. He's even left his name and contact number with me!
He has acknowledged that there have been problems with the 3.1 release to Australians through Telstra, Battery etc. etc.
He has informed me that they have been working around the clock to fix it and has actually given me an acctual DATE 1st August full roll out, subject to the testing process that is being undertaken by Telstra to ensure compatability etc.
Whilst I have been asked for confidentiality on several points from a personal point of view, I have to say that if his word is as good as he says, I now feel happier.
Heaven help Motorola however if he's not

Related

Vodafone UK recall?

Just been speaking to Vodafone to check my order status, as they were supposed to call when more stock was due yesterday. Been told by one of the managers that they were told late yesterday that they now have no future stock dates, as HTC were seeking to fix 'hardware issues' with the phone. She used the word recall when referring to existing Vodafone phones, and then mentioned the camera explicitly.
So for those of us with unfulfilled orders the wait continues.
And for those whose phones see the world with a pink hue, a hint of things to come? Anyone else spoken to Voda in the last 24 hrs?
I thought the pink hue was a software issue, or at last that is what HTC were reported to have said a few days back and they said they would be releasing a fix. If it is a hardware issue I wonder if the same recall is going to apply to HD2s from other networks, like O2 for example? And if those already sold are going to be swapped?
I'm not too fussed anyway as the hue on mine is barely noticeable, but I have seen photos from some where it's frankly terrible. Despite the quality of a camera on a phone being fairly low on my list of important features, if I owned one of those I would be interested in a swap.
I assume the Vodafone dont know what is really happening, I dont think HTC would lie about this huge issue.
After a week of tests on my handset that I sent to HTC repairs. HTC are returning it back to me without them doing anything apart from installing logging software that identifies the sms issue.
It has been explained to me several times that it [camera] is a software issue that can only be fixed with a patch that will be released as soon as they can, they are working on it.
I had a call from Voda yesterday (since I emailed a complaint to the UK CEO, I get regular update calls lol) to say that the stock they were expecting hadn't turned up and that the next delivery *should* be 2nd December
Edit: got another call this afternoon from the nice girl who is keeping an eye on my order to inform me that they may get some earlier than the 2nd, she's going to call me back on Monday.
I have a HD2 from Vodafone and mine is ok ok no problems with the camera. Got it last week
Only yesterday, I was told 11th December by a Vodafone rep, middle of next week by a T-Mobile rep, and possibly monday by an O2 rep.
All of these companies were meant to give me a call as soon as the hansets came in. It turns out I've missed 1 delivery by T-Mobile, 2 by O2, and 3 by Vodafone even though I ordered with them some 3 weeks ago!!!
I also thought the camera was an issue that HTC are working on. If there was to be a recall t would be for all phones, as Vodafone ones aren't branded.
Damn this is turning out to be a hard phone to get.
I had put an order i with Voda Business and voda general public. The latter said it would be with me by Sat, i called on the Friday to confirm and was told that a small batch came in but wasn't available to their department therefore wasn't available for me and they projected the next batch would be in around the 11th of Dec.
I then called back to make my feelings heard and was told that one would be with me by Monday and was already in transit. This it turns out was the phone i ordered through the business department which must have priority over regular customers.
I haven't heard anything regarding recalls etc but haven't spoken to them since Friday, so i'm really hoping it will be here on Monday. If not i won't be happy!!!!
Just to confirm the 11 december date. Vodafone UK informed me on 27/11 (which I had been previously told was the date the HD2 shipment where due into their warehouse) that this will not now be until 11/12.
However if there are hardware issues this may well drift into 2010.
I'd hazard a guess the delay is due to some of the bugs noted in this forum seen on the first shipped ROM.
As many people have said here - the average mobile consumer expects their device to just 'work' when it comes to the basics (calls, sms etc). Vodafone aren't doing their own ROM but instead taking what HTC have provided; this means bugs and all. Trouble is while the average WM user who has paid £500 from Expansys etc would come here to look to fix such bugs, the average Vodafone user would be on the phone / back to the Vodafone shop complaining that their phone is "rubbish, doesn't work, can't use it, refund please". I'd therefore guess this is why they are delaying accepting HTC shipments - until their own QA people are happy.
For the record - while I understand this view - I personally would MUCH prefer them to just send me a phone and I'll update it to later firmware when available. But that's just my personal preference! Guess such things are the price you pay when a high end tech gadget like the HD2 attempts to make it into the mainstream consumer market - you're never going to please everyone. On the one hand HTC should have probably done a bit better with their QA, on the other hand no doubt they were under pressure to release. Whichever way they could have jumped their would have been complainers!! I mean, the people on here complaining about basic bugs - would they have been happier if the phone was delayed until say March next year?! Maybe some would've been, but probably not most.
IMO HTC have to keep people on-board by providing updated ROMS / Hotfixes quickly - weeks not months.
Just my opinion..
How long do these hotfixes take to come? I mean, shouldn't some HTC programming team be able to fix all this in ONE DAY?? (*providing it is software problems of course).
I am stuck here with a faulty handset that O2 can't replace because they have no stock. I'm just wondering whether to ditch it and go with another manufacturer. Even if it was working perfectly (which I somehow doubt will happen) it's still a total nightmare typing on the virtual keyboard. I have to correct virtually every word I type and for a previously hardcore texter, I have actually come to loathe texting. It has become a chore!
sunking101 said:
How long do these hotfixes take to come? I mean, shouldn't some HTC programming team be able to fix all this in ONE DAY?? (*providing it is software problems of course).
I am stuck here with a faulty handset that O2 can't replace because they have no stock. I'm just wondering whether to ditch it and go with another manufacturer. Even if it was working perfectly (which I somehow doubt will happen) it's still a total nightmare typing on the virtual keyboard. I have to correct virtually every word I type and for a previously hardcore texter, I have actually come to loathe texting. It has become a chore!
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Sounds like the HD2 isn't for you re. txt'ing. I felt similar around 2 yrs ago (in that I hated touch screen phones for txt'ing) but have since come round. Each to their own.
Re. the hotfixes etc, sadly turning them around in a single day just isn't realistic. Maybe on a home-brew app, but it is with these sorts of timelines which lead to the mistakes in the first place. I'd say you'd be looking at a turnaround time of 2 weeks MINIMUM from bug identification to public release, most probably longer. While it certainly isn't ideal I'd be happy if they turned things round in <1 month.
I know, I know, not ideal the bugs are there in the first place, but such is life!
hmm... I can undestand what youre saying and I can agree in some of it. But if it is a hardware error with the camera, is dosen´t fit under the decription "bug" in my opinion
As to whriting on the HD2 I totally disagree, it´s so nice and i whrite very fast on it
madindehead said:
I also thought the camera was an issue that HTC are working on. If there was to be a recall t would be for all phones, as Vodafone ones aren't branded.
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Hi Madindehead - is there a way of checking my vodafone internet usage? Cant seem to find it online on my account page?! I know there is a fair usage policy of 500MB but when I checked my phone this morning the notification tab stated I had been connected to the HSDPA network for 6 hours?! am I right in thinking this is just the connection being kept alive?
Also is there any software out there that can monitor my 3G connection?
I wouldn't worry too much about the FUP to be honest, I don't know anyone who got told off for going over. Plus I think that if everybody tries to stay below it they'll never change it, on the other hand if the majority of people goes over it they might "officially" raise it.
Got mine this morning, woot. Would have had it yesterday but Royal Mail suck...
chrisnz1947 said:
Just to confirm the 11 december date. Vodafone UK informed me on 27/11 (which I had been previously told was the date the HD2 shipment where due into their warehouse) that this will not now be until 11/12.
However if there are hardware issues this may well drift into 2010.
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they had a huge batch in on Monday 30th November
Starfury said:
they had a huge batch in on Monday 30th November
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Correct, I ordered mine on-line last night and have an RM tracking number for it to be delivered tomorrow morning
I got mine from Vodafone yesterday, not branded in anyway at all.
My mate got his too from Vodafone on Monday.
Problems I have so far
1. Can't send SMS messages at all!
2. Bluetooth wont switch on
No issue with the camera so far, battery life not too bad.
Can't get any twitter or facebook updates to notify me when screen locked, but then I havent read the manual!!
Lovely phone though
fz9999 said:
Correct, I ordered mine on-line last night and have an RM tracking number for it to be delivered tomorrow morning
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You're lucky then! I've ordered through Vodafone business, and they can't access the online stock (why not?) and won't get their own stock until 14th December.
Frustrating.

Confirmed from Clove: DHD releases end of Oct

Well, Clove apparently have sent email about the delay of DHD release till the end of the month, and said all sellers will face the same problem due to Google Testing (which I have no idea what is the point). Anyways, everyone should start to STOP waiting as things will be better when you least expect them, agree?
LittleMerc said:
Well, Clove apparently have sent email about the delay of DHD release till the end of the month, and said all sellers will face the same problem due to Google Testing (which I have no idea what is the point). Anyways, everyone should start to STOP waiting as things will be better when you least expect them, agree?
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Absolutely. Of course we're all looking forward to receiving our new Desire's of the HD form factor... but the wait is almost quite exciting - just keep checking those email inboxes for 'Your Order Has Been Dispatched!'
Not to mention I have come to the conclusion that I have far more important things going on in my life... like 'life' itself.
It'll arrive within 26 days, we know that much at least!
I'm waiting for amazon to confirm it and so far they have denied it.
So hope is still alive
Splash
Clove is far more likely to be right about this than amazon. Sorry
I spoke to someone at Vodafone this morning, and they haven't heard of any delay.
It's possible the rumours that the carriers are getting them first is true. For the sake of 5 days or so I'd rather wait for the Sim-Free handset I'll get rather than the branded version from Vodafone.
dazultra2000 said:
It's possible the rumours that the carriers are getting them first is true. For the sake of 5 days or so I'd rather wait for the Sim-Free handset I'll get rather than the branded version from Vodafone.
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True. If I get one via Carphone Warehouse, it should be unbranded shouldn't it? Really don't want a branded phone.
If carriers are getting the phones before sim unlocked ones are out, then that's still good news because we'll have users here who can give us their impressions. All i want is someone here who can answer all our questions and doubts about the phone.
My provider delayed the phone till the 22nd of october. It was the 18th.
Confirmation from Superetrader
Just got this e-mail from superetrader saying that the DHD will be delay until mid to end of the month.
See attachment for the e-mail
lol vodafone branding doesn't mean its locked just has some branded software installed, and a bit of rooting can fix that!
Carriers have usually got the phones first, not sure if this was the plan all along. Looks like the DHD with Vodafone will be the awesome black one. Any chance of these being unbranded/full of junkware? Would love to pick one up after seeing a few reviews..
jords12 said:
Clove is far more likely to be right about this than amazon. Sorry
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Based on what? I've been a phone freak for years and i've never heard of them. Amazon are the biggest online retailer in the world and indeed they posted the HD on there site BEFORE it was announced. So sorry, but I'd trust Amazon over a site i've not heard of.
No one else has heard of a delay and none of the gadget/Andriod blogs are reporting one either. Play have jumped the date by a week. But other than that there is no news of a delay (even Google News aren't reporting one)
Added to which most of us had never even heard of "Google testing" until yesterday. Anyway whats to test? the hardware is pretty much the EVO and the software (although slightly updated is the same as the Desire)
Splash
superEtrader has now confirmed a delay untill the end of october...
Oh well the HD is worth waiting for IMO
maruchan78 said:
Looks like the DHD with Vodafone will be the awesome black one
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http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/htc-desire-hd
Looks the exact same as all the other ones if you ask me...
The danish supplier Mobilityshop has postponed the delivering date to the 29th of october
http://www.mobilityshop.dk/shop/htc-desire-hd-1286p.html
wu5262 said:
Just got this e-mail from superetrader saying that the DHD will be delay until mid to end of the month.
See attachment for the e-mail
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I hate to ask this, but how on earth can a mobile like the Desire HD fail Type Approval testing?
Do people here even know what Type Approval Testing is?
Surely, when designing the phone, they would try to meet the specs, and Type Approval would be given pretty easily...
I'm not one to fuel this kind of bullcrap topics, but if the reason given is "type approval", you can be sure they are making "regular"/detalic customers gobble up quite another load of bull****, betting on consumers' lack of knowledge (about the slang).
In the case of cellular technologies/GSM/3GPP, FCC certification is responsible for the TA.
Unless the acronym TA was misintrepreted, it would rather be Telecommunications Approval, but then again, this doesn't change anything. It's still FCC.
This has NOT A SINGLE DAMN thing to do with Google.
Type Approval simply means, has it met the required specs that are set out. There is a safety/min spec etc that it has to meet.
They wouldn't be doing that days before release. No way. Let's just take it as follows:
htcsense.com isn't ready yet. That makes a LOT more sense, than the phone hasn't passed a test.
BTW, expansys still have eta stock date to the oc 19...

[INFO] Screwed over by the Eee Pad launch - Sign In Thread

So, I've been lied to by Asus' chosen retailers, and I've seen people who placed orders after me receive tracking numbers, while my own shipments are indefinitely backordered. It seems I'm not alone in that.
I have no choice but to cancel my orders in a week from now, because I'll be out of the country with my family for two weeks, and nobody will be around to collect deliveries. Given that the 48 hours we'll be spending in airports and airplanes was one of the key reasons I decided to buy the Transformer now rather than waiting for something better, I almost certainly won't be buying one on my return -- once my orders are cancelled, it's game over for Asus.
I was utterly disgusted to see that instead of apologizing for the inconvenience, or giving even vague information as to when they'll be providing more stock, Asus had the audacity to post about how we "love" them on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/asus...mer-sold-out-in-north-america/194700557240017
There's plenty of info in the US retail availability thread, but it's hidden in 400 pages of posts. Hence, I thought it might be a good idea to collect together all of the unhappy, would-be customers who've been lied to and mistreated by Asus' launch partners in one place, where Asus can see that love is not an emotion we're feeling right now, and that we're extremely unhappy about how we've been treated.
Air your grievances here. Have you been lied to? Have you been passed over for shipments by retailers, when those who ordered after you are receiving their tablets?
Tell Asus exactly how you feel. If you have plans to cancel your order after a certain date, let us know when. And if the way you've been treated by their retailers has persuaded you not to do business with them or Asus again, don't be shy about saying so.
Personally, Asus has 7 days to get my tablet to a retailer who will actually ship it to me. If they don't, I won't be buying an Asus product, ever again.
I placed my order around 3AM with amazon, as of now, still no activity on the order... while people who ordered after me got it.
I think it may have to do with the fact that my order showed up as coming from Target.com/ITC or something but now its showing amazon LLC.
Then I placed order with Datavision, who over sold and have gotten the money back.
Then I placed order with TigerDirect and they, it seems over sold as well and have been hearing and reading lies from them since yesterday.
Asus screwed up big time!
So you're blaming Asus? Awesome. Doesn't sound like you've been an early adopter before.
You aren't alone Knox; I ordered mine at the same time as you did. I'm pretty sure we were chatting in the IRC room while we were waiting for it to get released.
I talked to an Amazon rep yesterday who guaranteed me the product would arrive on the estimated delivery date. I talked to another one today after the shipping info wasn't updated and that rep basically stated the previous rep lied to me and that I would not be receiving my product as expected.
I'm throughly upset because I could have ordered it from another retailer at the time and received my TF tomorrow or Friday.
I'm not sure if I'm going to cancel now and get the Acer or wait a week to see if I actually get the TF.
frysee said:
So you're blaming Asus? Awesome.
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Asus didn't provide sufficient supply for the launch, have provided no information on when more stock is expected, tried to spread what tiny stock they had across too many retailers, didn't require their retailers to sell first-come first-served, and failed to supply *any* accessories or 32GB tablets at all.
I'd say they shoulder a very large part of the blame.
seshmaru said:
" hey guys retailers lied to us and mistreated us! let's blame Asus!"
You two sure are American.
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Actually, I'm not. I'm British. And raised in Asia. But feel free to throw around childish stereotypes in any other thread you like, just not this one, please.
knoxploration said:
Personally, Asus has 7 days to get my tablet to a retailer who will actually ship it to me. If they don't, I won't be buying an Asus product, ever again.
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this alone makes me believe you are crying over spilt milk.
its a early launch. supplies are limited. all asus did was supply the product to retailers. how the retailers handle it is their business not asus's. if you're that hardcore about raging over the retailers that you wont buy another asus product, you have issues.
To be quite honest, I'm sure that ASUS has given away more free tablets to reviewers, contests (both twitter and facebook), college student "representatives", etc. than they sold... how exactly are they making money on these tablets? LOL
Have you even read the engadget post? it clearly states it's unknown whether it's because of limited supplies or huge demand or both.
Asus had already said there would be limited supplies in a statement, and the point still stands, if they had built up stock first you still wouldn't have it now since it wouldn't have been released for a while.
In essence you're just sour grapes because some people got one of the limited supplies and you didn't. And if you can't have it no one can have it.
Zepius said:
this alone makes me believe you are crying over spilt milk.
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If you read my entire post, you would see I have no choice but to cancel my order in 7 days, because there will be nobody in the country to receive shipments.
EP2008 said:
To be quite honest, I'm sure that ASUS has given away more free tablets to reviewers, contests (both twitter and facebook), college student "representatives", etc. than they sold... how exactly are they making money on these tablets? LOL
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Yup, and each of those came with a dock, while they haven't sold a single dock in the entire US market.
i bet you will be buying another asus product because they make many components for other companies
I think the main problem was the race to launch first, certainly in the UK. In the US the Xoom has been out for a while, which is why I think Asus wanted to concentrate more on the UK (makes a nice change!) so that they could pip Motorola to the post with the UK launch. The Xoom was originally set to come out on the 9th April, and at the last minute Asus managed to get a limited number of units out to uk shops around the 6th, although I didn't discover this until after that date.
Truth is that I would have bought the first tegra2 tablet that came out in the UK, and I had been waiting (mistakenly) for the xoom on the 9th. On that day I got out of bed, went down to PC World and tried to get one, only to be told they had been delayed until middle of June. A couple of days later after reading more about the transformer I found out a local Comet had one in stock so I bought it. A few days later I noticed PC world had the Xoom in.
My point of this very long story is that this is just happening this time round with this set of tablets because the manufacturers are rushing to get their tablets out to the masses and be first. I think everything will settle down soon and people won't feel 'lied' to once the availability is sorted out. Asus could have given a more solid date, granted, but like seshmaru said, if they'd held on to stocks until they'd had enough to go round, then nobody would currently have one.
You can't really blame Asus for the retailer's actions. If Asus hadn't given them a solid date or numbers of shipments expected, then the retailers shouldn't really be advertising the product for sale, or should at least inform the customer they aren't definite dates. They only make the things, without having their own entire distribution arm like Apple, they can't control what retailers do!
Still sucks for you man going on holiday! I've been there, waiting for gadgets to come before a trip away and they haven't arrived, it's not fun!
Think on the positive side man, if the only reason you bought this was to use for a trip, then buy yourself a good book instead, and bam! Saved yourself £400! I'd invest that money into training a monkey butler.
cochese135 said:
i bet you will be buying another asus product because they make many components for other companies
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Can you people go troll some other thread, please?
Removing comment
@Therm, I said you two, referring to dot and knox.
frysee said:
So you're blaming Asus? Awesome. Doesn't sound like you've been an early adopter before.
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Who else is responsible for this fiasco?
It's not like they didn't see this coming after they botched the UK launch.
AT LEAST a few folks in the UK got the keyboard docks - from everything I've seen in the US "launch", no one received a keyboard dock.
So yes, Asus, how do you "launch" a product with such insufficient stock - and with ZERO keyboard docks - which btw is the PRIMARY feature that sets your "Transformer" apart from other tablets?
There would be a lot more happy customers if, following the UK debacle, Asus *announced* that the US launch would happen in May - or June - or whatever it takes to actually have an ample supply on on hand - and oh yeah KEYBOARDS too!
frysee said:
So you're blaming Asus? Awesome. Doesn't sound like you've been an early adopter before.
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Forgot to add, ASUS is the one that announced the launch on 4/26 - with a list of retailers on their own page. Yet several of those retailers (sears.com, staples.com, officemax.com, officedepot.com etc) NEVER even received stock.
How do you announce a launch date - and retailers - but don't supply those retailers with any units?
Yes, in my opinion, that falls on Asus.
I think blaming the retailer and the supplier can be split into two separate debates.
The retailer, reseller, gougers, etc; that is just the nature of the business. How they handle their customer is independent to each store and that is where your money speaks loudest.
Amazon I feel did an amazing job. Their order system processed all orders with no crashes up until they were sold out. Once sold out, they site updated to backorder. When you place an order, you assume the risk of delays and backorders. How heavy handed you want to be on a company is up to you but does not change the fact that when you make a purchase, you play by their rules.
As for ASUS, I think they did a terrible job. They put one posting of low quantity on facebook for UK. Then for US post, they have a huge banner that says "On shelves on 4/26". There was not a single item on any retailer's shelves. There were no communication with their retailers to give them constant updates on status. They release the Keyboard Dock but have absolutely no availability. Communication was terrible to their customer and their retailer which are their customers as well.
ASUS needs to get their act together if they want to attempt to compete with Apple. Hell, even a multibillion dollar company like Apple makes mistakes, but they sure know how to launch a product and connect with their consumers and retailers (strict pricing, etc).
pogul said:
Who else is responsible for this fiasco?
It's not like they didn't see this coming after they botched the UK launch.
AT LEAST a few folks in the UK got the keyboard docks - from everything I've seen in the US "launch", no one received a keyboard dock.
So yes, Asus, how do you "launch" a product with such insufficient stock - and with ZERO keyboard docks - which btw is the PRIMARY feature that sets your "Transformer" apart from other tablets?
There would be a lot more happy customers if, following the UK debacle, Asus *announced* that the US launch would happen in May - or June - or whatever it takes to actually have an ample supply on on hand - and oh yeah KEYBOARDS too!
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"I can't get one so no one should get one"
btw UK launchdate didn't have the dock either, and the dock is an accessory, accessories are released at a later date more often.
If they had waited the Iconia a500 would possibly have gained momentum, (which it didn't, but it could've) this is the best strategy for Asus seeing as demand is far exceeding the supply, it's been a raging success for them. Besides they promised a Q1 launch around march last year, at least they stuck to their word without any launch delays.

Galaxy S2 SIM-free owners last to get ICS, Samsung UK admits

Samsung Galaxy S2 owners who bought their device SIM-free are at the back of the UK Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade queue, Samsung has confirmed to CNET UK.
And the reason you've been kept waiting? It's because Samsung is waiting for some mobile networks to finish testing the update, so it can be sure the software will work whatever network you're on.
SIM-free S2 owners will get the ICS update "once we've got all of the operator pieces on board", said Simon Stanford, VP of Samsung Telecommunications and Networks for Samsung UK and Ireland, speaking exclusively to CNET UK today.
The upgrade process Samsung has used to push out ICS to S2 owners means SIM-free devices can't be updated until all mobile networks have tested and approved ICS -- and since some operators are still testing and approving the update, some SIM-free S2 owners are still waiting to get Ice Cream Sandwich.
'It's got to work'
"We work in conjunction with our partners to bring ICS to the existing base -- that's primarily what needs to happen, whatever network operator that may be," said Stanford. "In this particular instance, the open market variant [ie SIM-free] you would expect to come out first."
Stanford confirmed, however, SIM-free S2 owners have been left twisting in the wind. "As an open-market customer you will be on a variety of networks, so it's got to work on whichever network you have chosen," he said.
SIM-free S2 owners -- many of whom shelled out extra upfront for an unlocked handset in the hopes of being at the front of the upgrade queue -- have in fact trailed operators such as Three, which was the first operator to release the ICS update. O2 has also now pushed out the ICS update.
"We were working with our operators to make sure that we brought it out to as many people as we can," Stanford added. "Vodafone we're expecting imminently [to release ICS]. Open market will be once we've got all of the operator pieces on board... It'll come at very much the same time."
'We don't want to disadvantage anyone'
Stanford would not confirm exactly how many SIM-free S2 owners have received the ICS update so far, nor give a completion date for the ICS update rollout -- he would only say: "We're really pushing it hard over the next coming weeks."
"It's always very tight, in terms of the testing processes and all the rest of it," he said. "It's not a switch in Korea and then the whole thing just activates every device that is out there... We work very closely with the networks to help them get ICS out.
"Everyone holds their hands up and says, 'Well, we need to do more in these instances.'"
Asked whether consumers would be better off buying a device from a network rather than SIM-free if they want to ensure they get future Android updates promptly, Stanford said: "In this instance [they would have been better off on a network]. Moving forward, I anticipate the upgrades will come a lot faster, at once, with everybody."
He added that it's not Samsung's intention to prioritise SIM-free device buyers in future, rather it wants to level the playing field so everyone gets the update around the same time.
"We don't want to disadvantage anyone, we don't want to say that they have to buy it from anywhere, we want everyone to have the same experience, whether or not it's open-market, network, to us they're exactly the same," he said.
'Communication can be managed better next time'
Stanford conceded that communications is an area where Samsung can make its own improvements. And he apologised to any SIM-free S2 owners who have been disappointed by how long it's taken to get ICS.
"The communication itself can be managed a bit better next time," he said. "It's just an ongoing process piece that we work very closely on to try and make sure we get it absolutely bang on so we apologise to anyone -- we really apologise to anyone -- who has been disappointed by this.
"We're always desperate to get [updates] out as fast as we can, there's no reason for us not to. We don't like to have unhappy customers, it goes against everything that we do. We do take it very seriously. It's communication sometimes we need to work on -- I accept that. That there needs to be perhaps more overall communication with the partners involved as well," he said.
"We are happy now that ICS is rolling out and those people that we've spoken to are very happy with it," Stanford added. "We're always looking for ways to speed it up -- with regards to Galaxy Note... the upgrade on that will be a lot quicker."
Are you still waiting for your SIM-free S2 to be upgraded to ICS? Let us know in the comments, or post your own update over on our Facebook page, and watch my video below to see what you're missing.
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/galaxy-s2-sim-free-owners-last-to-get-ics-samsung-admits-50007550/
We're all boned then. Orange can, and do, take months to release any updates, if they can even be bothered! They'll need to make sure that every last stinking piece of their foul bloatware can work on ICS.
Teppic24 said:
We're all boned then. Orange can, and do, take months to release any updates, if they can even be bothered! They'll need to make sure that every last stinking piece of their foul bloatware can work on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have unlcoked phone and i will just keep flashing other country firmwares untill samsung finsh testing it on all these networks
This is a joke in all fairness, however if you're on XDA there's no reason why this should affect your ability to get hold of ICS.
But, for the majority of the population (who aren't on XDA) this is just unforgivable.
Worth waiting for a finished ICS six months down the line . No way will i change to the current half baked versions .
jje
No issues on xlpq with Orange sim on Carphone Warehouse SII
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Network testing haha. Why have other countries got the unbranded update straight away ? But here in the uk we wait for the networks to test. I think uk networks have some sort of deal with samsung or it maybe to do with sgs3. But "waiting for networks to test" jus isnt gna fly cz that a lie.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
This really is a sorry excuse for logic. To really follow it would mean Samsung UK has to wait till ALL cellular carriers around the world confirm the UK SGS2 SIM-Free ICS update works with their networks?!
Otherwise, there *might* be some unfortunate UK SGS2 SIM-Free owner running ICS that encounters problems when he moves to Timbuktu and use his phone with the local cell network!
Samsung UK... YOU SUCK!
Does suck but how many ordinary citizens even know about ice cream sandwich, most people don't have a clue I bet a lot of people are still on the original firmwares that shipped with the phone. My sister wanted to go back to gingerbread as she thinks battery life on ICS sucked even though she got the official O2 update.
So for normal citizens who use a phone without worrying about updates this won't effect them but for us and other geeks and such its bothersome but hey that's why we come here and flash whatever comes our way from other countries regardless if it's final or not or buggy but because we can.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Unbelievable! Why did I spend 650 dollars!
CC
Can anyone comment which is the best ICS stock unbranded FW version to use with SpoofFW on SGS2 XEU?
Poland, Russia, Luxemburg, Baltics, Cyprus...? Does it even matter?
cc999 said:
Unbelievable! Why did I spend 650 dollars!
CC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...because it's an amazing phone, one of the best available
cc999 said:
Unbelievable! Why did I spend 650 dollars!
CC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You spent the money on great hardware and rock solid gingerbread.
Free software upgrades to a complete new system are a relatively new thing. You can expect / demand updates to GB but to ICS I don't think so.
----------------------
GTI9100 XWLP3
Love the why did I spend money comments! And this update is FREE, remember when apple was charging to get the ios 3.0 update? Give it a rest, and if your sooooo adamant on getting ics, there are many available downloads right here on these pages. Otherwise, the 1% of s2 owners on this forum aren't going to make a blip on samsungs radar when the 19,999,000 are happy with there phones.
Relax, be happy, there are worse things going on in the world at the moment.
Have a nice day
Hey, I also sent this from my Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk..
If you look at it another way, Samsung are using everyone else as unpaid beta testers, so us unbranded people get a polished update. (Ok, I bought mine from T-Mobile, but I'm running an unbranded firmware.)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Teppic24 said:
We're all boned then. Orange can, and do, take months to release any updates, if they can even be bothered! They'll need to make sure that every last stinking piece of their foul bloatware can work on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and? Just upgrade your phone now to ICS like I did
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
ICS came out last year and 5 months waiting for what?
By the time we get ICS google is gonna release Jelly Bean and we are gonna be excited for a sec and then remember when we actually got ICS and be sad for another year until we get all new phones and same **** happens...
Amazing world we live in
What a load of crap.
Unbranded updates for Galaxy S and SII always came either first or alongside Optus release, here in Australia - Telstra only just released 2.3.6 last month and the rest of the carriers and unbranded was released many months ago.
It just doesn't add up. Track record shows this excuse is a total load of bs.
Why the hell isn't Samsung responsible for testing the carriers? For example Samsung Australia division should be totally responsible for testing the Unbranded version of all 4 carrier networks. These phones are not even sold by the carriers so it's not their responsibility !!
This is so damn lazy of Samsung.
Yeah right. They just dont want the carriers to ***** that others are getting the update before their customers are. Just like how they didnt want to make sure every carriers phone were working ok before selling people this device unlocked and just how they didnt care to update people after 2.3.4. My phone has had problems since then and samsung hasnt cared to update. This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth from samsung. I wanted the S3 but I dont even know if I want to buy a phone they arent going to update.
---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------
Markbaja said:
Love the why did I spend money comments! And this update is FREE, remember when apple was charging to get the ios 3.0 update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That never happened. They never charged.
TheReverend210 said:
If you look at it another way, Samsung are using everyone else as unpaid beta testers, so us unbranded people get a polished update. (Ok, I bought mine from T-Mobile, but I'm running an unbranded firmware.)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah right. Unbranded devices never got updated past 2.3.4 and its been buggy. Anytime I restart my phone the icons move around and I have to move them back. Dont think you a moment you are getting a more polished update. You are getting the same update that has been psoted on here from some random carrier from a country you probably have never heard it. Pathetic Samsung. They even lied to us saying we would have it by the end of Q1.
Samsung UK are crap, exactly the same as when our GS2 was stuck on 2.3.3 and I knew for a fact that newer ones with the same product code were shipping with, or updating to 2.3.4, and all they kept saying was no update was available, just vecause they couldn't be bothered to fix the original HIDSWVER that they'd forgotten to add updates for.
In the end last weekend I flashed the Polish LPS onto it as it kept locking up, seems to be ok now. And the Polish LPS one includes the generic UK (XEU) and generic CPW UK (CPW), csc customisation packs anyway, so no reason at all for Samsung UK to be making up this BS. It even comes with all the UK network APN settings preloaded in it. I've never seen an unbranded update come after branded ones until this mess. Same as O2 on 2.3.6 with Gingerbread, and unbranded on 2.3.4 (or in my case 2.3.3). People buy unbranded to get a clean update, not to wait for all the branded crap to be tested.

Samsung - King of non-support?

It's beyond reason the lengths that Samsung goes to not support their current and prospective customers.
About 2 months ago I started my quest for a 64Gb or 32Gb version of the 7.7
Contacting the Portuguese Samsung Customer Support line, I was greeted by a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking operator (...you most probably don't know this but Brazilian Portuguese is not quite the same as the original language and, as such, the use of different expressions and pronunciation can turn any technical support exchange into a very irritating exercise...).
The lady was a-b-s-o-l-u-t-l-y clueless about what was being asked, so the inquiry terminated in frustration.
Since we are such a small market, I investigated a little and managed to circumvent the "official" (non)support network by obtaining the direct phone number to Samsung Portugal.
I've managed to talk to someone in charge over there and, luckily, things are on the right track now, as far as information for the Portuguese market is concerned...but only because I have "inside access".
...but, being that I travel a lot across Europe and have several days frequent stays in the Netherlands, I decided to contact Samsung Holland about the availability for the said models over there. I figured I might grab hold of one of the larger capacity models, while in Amsterdam.
Trying to get back to the Support phone line (Dutch version) proved impossible, as it features a 0900 number that is unreachable from outside Holland, so I resorted to an email inquiry.
Check out this "non-reply" I just received and tell me if Samsung is not testing their customers patience:
Hi,
I travel frequently to the Netherlands.
When will the 32 and 64Gb versions of the GT-P6800 be available and where can I find them in the Amsterdam area?
Thank you,
Client number: xxxxxxxx
Dear Mr. xxxxxx,
Thank you for your e-mail concerning the Samsung GT-P6800.
Samsung offers its customers an extensive dealer and distribution network throughout the Netherlands. An authorized Samsung dealer (and / or distributor) may specialize in a particular type of product. They also have a difference between stocks and groups of products from Samsung.
It is also possible that a "subtype" of an article is not displayed on our website because it is in limited edition and sold by one or more parties exclusively with different product specifications.
These are the reasons we can't give an exact price, inventory and comparative technical information to determine, in relation to deliverability for the product mentioned. We therefore advise you to inquire at a Samsung dealer, distributor and / or retailer in your area (available via internet, telephone directories, information services).
For further question, you can always contact us on the telephone number 0900-SAMSUNG(0900-7267864) for Holland or 022012418 for Belgium, on workdays from 09.00 -18.00 o'clock.
For a quick and efficient treatment of your problems, we advise you to have the following data by hand: Your Customer number, your IMEI-number and the type of your mobile phone.
We hope to have informed you sufficiently.
Yours sincerely,
XXXXXX
Contact Centre Employee
Wow!
XK
Lots of words that answer nothing. I suspect you were sent a form reply that the service tech thinks most closely matches your request.
Sorry, but I think you're being a drama queen. You asked the wrong department about finding a retail location for a product that isn't available in all areas yet and you met with some language issues.
Not really useful for a post here at all.
burhanistan said:
Sorry, but I think you're being a drama queen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a senior member, you're quick on the name calling. Since I am a junior one, I hope this is not the norm around here...
burhanistan said:
You asked the wrong department
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong department?...really...?...The one and only Samsung Support line/email?
Do you suggest I go and circumvent all the Samsung European Support lines (...as I have successful done in my own country...) in an effort to have a clear reply from each country I might consider?
Since I've met with clueless support that even didn't knew the models had been announced when I contacted the "Portuguese" support number and now have been served this answer after contacting the Dutch support line what exactly do you recommend?...Drive to Samsung Europe HQ in Chertsey, Surrey, UK and put the question in person?
burhanistan said:
Not really useful for a post here at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree.
Together with my previous experiences with Samsung (...the same kind of thing happened exactly the same way when I tried to procure an BR/HD-DVD player, the BD-UP5000 a few years ago...), this points out to a kind of "unsupport" people should be aware of.
XK
Heh "Senior Member" just means 100 posts. It's a pointless rank.
Some questions do not have solid answer.
And they can not just said "We dont know" do they?
Even they are Samsung, it doesnt mean they know everything about their own market plan; the HQ may not come up with the release date or release area yet so they really have no info to answer. And again they cant answer "We dont know".
In the end you get a lengthy reply with equal meaning to "We dont know".
I think the technical support provided by Samsung on their Official Site and via telephone and other specialist sites such as their firmware site is normal for a large manufacturer but not outstanding.
The release information of new models such as the 32GB/64GB is probably only known to a few people within the higher echelons of Samsung who will release it when they are ready and that is no different from other manufacturers. However, as someone who is impatient to get ICS I understand how you feel.
GOF007 said:
Some questions do not have solid answer.
And they can not just said "We dont know" do they?
Even they are Samsung, it doesnt mean they know everything about their own market plan; the HQ may not come up with the release date or release area yet so they really have no info to answer. And again they cant answer "We dont know".
In the end you get a lengthy reply with equal meaning to "We dont know".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough...at least we know how unorganized they stand.
Since day 1, with the GT-P1000, I can't shake this feeling that Samsung has kind of a "Tsunami" approach to this tablets things...They keep pouring and pouring models out, in "fuzzy" all-out-all-in" approach that even they can't keep pace and track of.
How difficult can it be to announce a model, it's various incarnations and, come the "D" day, have them all in the stores for the customers to choose from?
Apple does it, so...
...as far as the support regarding information about their product goes, in my continuous experience, they better get their act together or they will fail miserably short of the top Android tabs global player they're aiming to be.
With Apple in mind and adopting a oriental tone about Samsung, if I may: "No mater how much he may which so, a cat does not become a tiger just because he thinks he can roar".
XK
Even App** will have hard time keeping track of the products if they have so much models and model variations like Sammy.
At the moment App** do not(or can not) release their products at the same time in many countries, and "not at the same time" means many months delay with no solid release date too. There is no official "The New iPad" here yet in Thailand and also many other countries.
GOF007 said:
Even App** will have hard time keeping track of the products if they have so much models and model variations like Sammy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Precisely!
GOF007 said:
At the moment App** do not(or can not) release their products at the same time in many countries, and "not at the same time" means many months delay with no solid release date too. There is no official "The New iPad" here yet in Thailand and also many other countries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't even go there...there's no comparison.
Apple announced the 3rd generation iPad March 7th, 2012. They announced 6 models x 2 colors.
On the 16th of March it was released in the US. All 6 models, in two colors.
Since then, it has steadily been released across the globe in 55 different counties (Thailand will added to the list soon, as I understand it)
All the announced 6 models. In the announced 2 colors.
We're talking a flawless launch at global scale in about 2 months.
If I decided right now to buy one, I would have it delivered at my door, from Apple Portugal within 5 working days. No inquiries. No endless searches. No clueless "support" operators.
Just one of the 6 models in one of the 2 colors I would have chosen from.
...All I am saying is that Samsung really goes the extra mile for us, their customers, to feel alienated.
If it wasn't for the obnoxious format, the inferior display (for photography) and the "gated", non-adaptive-fully-exclusive philosophy behind their products I know which "buy" button, I would be clicking right now...
XK
As cold as the reply you got from Samsung it seems to be, they are telling you the truth. 32GB and 64GB version of SGT 7.7 exists, but are not selling on global scale. I have been told they launched them in India, but beyond that I have little knowledge with. As it was not intended to be a global launch, a direct comparison with iPad is not quite appropriate.
For a heavy user like myself I think 16GB version is sufficient, though I wouldn't mind extra 48GB if it's available.
For a company that exists to sell things, they shouldn't make it so hard to buy their things. They should have a database of products and where to get them. Not, 'I don't know, you figure it out.'
Sent from my SCH-I815 using XDA Premium HD app
reverendbill said:
For a company that exists to sell things, they shouldn't make it so hard to buy their things. They should have a database of products and where to get them. Not, 'I don't know, you figure it out.'
Sent from my SCH-I815 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about Samsung, but some other vendors operating on international scale would actually discourage their staff from releasing products information like pricing and availability outside their own region. This is called regional market segmentation, its purpose is to maximize profit on their own region. (Yes, I know Apple is an exception, because they tend to sell at perpetual high price)
Say, they won't want to let customers in Hong Kong know that they could get a 64G version in India for half the price of 16G in Hong Kong. (Just an example, not for real )
九千. said:
As cold as the reply you got from Samsung it seems to be, they are telling you the truth. 32GB and 64GB version of SGT 7.7 exists, but are not selling on global scale. I have been told they launched them in India, but beyond that I have little knowledge with. As it was not intended to be a global launch, a direct comparison with iPad is not quite appropriate.
For a heavy user like myself I think 16GB version is sufficient, though I wouldn't mind extra 48GB if it's available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't think you've read the reply right.
To the question "When and where would this product be available in the Netherlands" they replied by, basically, sending me on a wild-goose chase around the country (mine?).
This is no way to treat anyone in any kind of relation, let alone for a manufacturer to treat its clients.
I buy a lot of electronics and photography related items and, I can assure you, this is not the norm.
Once contacted, the manufacturers usually check when and where the requested item is available, or where it will be or, if permanently not available, informs what the limitations are.
...In fact, this was the very same logical and respectful approach I got from Samsung Portugal, once I figured how to talk directly to them !
It's just this "Official Support" masquerade that they have put in place that behaves in this unsporting way.
XK
hi, I also wanted to buy it from Netherlands but got it the last minute somewhere else. But I did find that dixons.nl had good customer support and actally answered my emails, give it a try
XDAKhan said:
Sorry, I don't think you've read the reply right.
To the question "When and where would this product be available in the Netherlands" they replied by, basically, sending me on a wild-goose chase around the country (mine?).
This is no way to treat anyone in any kind of relation, let alone for a manufacturer to treat its clients.
I buy a lot of electronics and photography related items and, I can assure you, this is not the norm.
Once contacted, the manufacturers usually check when and where the requested item is available, or where it will be or, if permanently not available, informs what the limitations are.
...In fact, this was the very same logical and respectful approach I got from Samsung Portugal, once I figured how to talk directly to them !
It's just this "Official Support" masquerade that they have put in place that behaves in this unsporting way.
XK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually side with you, but not in the obvious way that you could notice. I think I should make my stance on all these for you now.
The guilt in Samsung is too deep that there is no manageable way to right the wrong they have done to you. I was so furious when I came to the part where they gave you a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking support while all you were asking is a less Brazillian one. I would be pretty upset and frustrated if I were given a Putonghua Chinese speaking support while they they have full-knowledge of my Cantonese Chinese speaking habit. That is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y o-u-t-r-a-g-e-o-u-s.
You deserve better, but damage is done. If I were you, I would not give them the privilege of abusing me any further, by refusing to use any of their product, A-N-Y-M-O-R-E! They will regret having losing a valuable customers like you very soon. Mark my words.
same thing for me around the time the tab plus was released. I called multiple samsung reps, chatted online scoured all the websites. For a few days I believed there would be no 3G version with voice.
Until someone on Xda sent me the link where he bought his in malaysia.
Since then I have absolutely given up on their support.
I had even said, I understand the 3G version will not likely come to US, as the first one didnt make it, and I can understand that, but is there anywhere in the world, I said; that "might" (hint) be selling these?
they're a bunch of parrots reading from their computers or manuals.
九千. said:
I actually side with you, but not in the obvious way that you could notice. I think I should make my stance on all these for you now.
The guilt in Samsung is too deep that there is no manageable way to right the wrong they have done to you. I was so furious when I came to the part where they gave you a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking support while all you were asking is a less Brazillian one. I would be pretty upset and frustrated if I were given a Putonghua Chinese speaking support while they they have full-knowledge of my Cantonese Chinese speaking habit. That is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y o-u-t-r-a-g-e-o-u-s.
You deserve better, but damage is done. If I were you, I would not give them the privilege of abusing me any further, by refusing to use any of their product, A-N-Y-M-O-R-E! They will regret having losing a valuable customers like you very soon. Mark my words.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zzzzzttt...
(The sound a fly makes when, wondering aimlessly through the air, stumbles upon one of those bright blue contraptions.)
XK
zazonk said:
hi, I also wanted to buy it from Netherlands but got it the last minute somewhere else. But I did find that dixons.nl had good customer support and actally answered my emails, give it a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...it seems they don't have it, like everyone else across Europe.
For a moment I had some hopes, as some Swiss and Austrian sites listed a 32Gb version, but it was also a hoax. All the ones I contacted said they had none and didn't know when they might have.
Dixon NL has a very nice price for the 16GB one, though...Maybe I cave in the next weeks, while over there and just get one of those.
Meanwhile, the announced new Toshiba featuring a SuperAMOLED display is just adding more options for my decision...
XK
Take it easy guys. If you don't like Samsung, vote with your wallet and buy an iPad. You'll get better support.

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