Related
i've been thinking of getting a Vogue for about $190 (is that a good price or can i get it cheaper?) so i can use Android. I currently have the Dare which sucks and its bugging out on me. I have been lurking and reading a lot of posts here to educate myself but i have a kind of network question...If and when i buy the Vogue i would have to upgrade my plan to include email and such on it which is an extra $15 a month, which adds up after a while. I can can talk the reps into not activating the email portion (yes they can do it and have before), but will the gmail app be usable on android??
Homeylarry said:
i've been thinking of getting a Vogue for about $190 (is that a good price or can i get it cheaper?) so i can use Android. I currently have the Dare which sucks and its bugging out on me. I have been lurking and reading a lot of posts here to educate myself but i have a kind of network question...If and when i buy the Vogue i would have to upgrade my plan to include email and such on it which is an extra $15 a month, which adds up after a while. I can can talk the reps into not activating the email portion (yes they can do it and have before), but will the gmail app be usable on android??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, the HTC Vogue is currently going for about $50 bucks - whomever is selling you one for $190 is really REALLY liking your naivete
As for GMail app - its web based so you can access your mail as long as you have some data plan to access the internet
Detroit Doug
where can you find em for $50? (the verizon version)
I would say check ebay, but if you are planning on spending around $200 i say just wait a couple more days for the Diamond to come out.
not only best to wait and get your money worth, but also as long as your going to be getting a CDMA device dont worry about it being Sprint/Verizon or whomever, once unlocked you can use just about any service at worse you may have to install whats referred to as a carrier .cab (simple click, wait for install to complete, done)
Detroit Doug
for verizon
u can use the phone w/o data plan if u want. it is has numerous capabilities. if you need data you can add that as part of your plan. you can use texting plans also for texting. but if you want to send and recieve picts or flix you have to pay data. the verizon phones cases have a history of cracking. i guess the diamond is about to come out on verizon from the previous post. i would compare specs with the voque or "touch". the touch does not have wifi or g accelerator. the gps is locked on the touch by the verizon folks but the kind folks here and at ppg have ways around that.
so can i get full android functionality on the diamond?
Homeylarry said:
so can i get full android functionality on the diamond?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine you should be able to, I would research the Android threads as well as the Android help desk thread here and also review the diamond threads for anything related to Android first before making any purchases
Orignal Android was designed on the HTC Vogue, one of the reasons it came out and was ready to rock when it hit the forums as it did and just so your clear, Android is a linux shell, it wont replace the WinMO operating system, you just click on the haret.exe and it will boot up into a linux shell/os (unless there is a ROM out to flash the phone over to Android fully - I havent kept up on Android all that much to search for it LOL)
Detroit Doug
i know it only runs on top but it works very well on the vogue as an everyday OS which is what i want on the diamond...i have looked into it further and apparently development is slow. as far as i know right now they dont even have data, voice, or sound working. thank you for your help
Homeylarry said:
i know it only runs on top but it works very well on the vogue as an everyday OS which is what i want on the diamond...i have looked into it further and apparently development is slow. as far as i know right now they dont even have data, voice, or sound working. thank you for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have run it alot on my vogue a while ago, while impressed I wouldnt want the extra steps for day to day use with restarts of the phone and all
As for data, it does work, you just have to start IE, Opera, whatever and get a data connection before starting Android and you can browse all day
Sound was working last I knew (video/music)
As far as development though, Im not surprised its slow, its linux after all, not alot of app writers for linux let alone android porting to a winmo device especially when windows development can be hard enough to get right (Windows ME and Microsoft BOB anyone?? LOL)
Basically it boils down to if you want a phone, get a phone and get one that YOU want that will do what YOU want it to do, if its as a phone with data, internet, text your choices are wide open, if it is something with Android (which really at this point is a shiney new toy thing although usable somewhat for day to day) then pick up a Vogue or Diamond/Touch Pro and be ready to play with it and do alot of work to make functional - Just my opinion -YMMV
Detroit Doug
o ok then...do you know of any place that consistently updates progress on the development of this? everywhere i looked stopped updating in january some time...
I'd check with your carrier first before using another carriers phone. I know for a fact that Bell Mobility WILL NOT activate foreign phones.
I've been watching ebay for a Bell touch and the best ive seen is about $150... not much cheaper than buying a new one.. (a hundred bucks or so, but new is nice)
GG
the problem with that is i don't want to renew my contract (which enables the discount) so i am going to get one off of ebay and Verizon's open phone policy works perfectly for sprint phones that verizon also carries
well my DARE is crapping out and i have decided to go ahead and get a Vogue for under $100 and wait for the Pre to hit Verizon. i will throw money at that and be happy
I recently bought a used HD Touch T8282 for around $150.
However the more I read and hear about the T8282 Model, The more it sounds like it wasnt the best idea, Especially since I'm in the US.
How far can get making this phone fully functional with US services?
Or should I just forget about it and put it up for sale, Then buy another phone?
Thoughts?
Alright,
After diving into and reading a 37 page thread~My questions are pretty much answered and I have a headache.
Looks like I made a bad investment...
I'll try and recover money by selling it, Then look into purchasing an 8285 or Droid Phone.
Depends on what you are after. Many (Many!) people want the Smart Phone WITHOUT the Data Plan - if that is your goal, you are right on. You do not have to load any "special" programs to hide your Data Access from AT&T. That is my situation, I want all the features of the Touch HD but the Data Plan is just too expensive. I have Wi-Fi in most of the areas I transit so I do have the Net available for the most part. However, if you want access to the WEB from where ever you have a Cell Signal you did, as you say, made a bad investment.
I know a few people around here are carrying Tabs around on a day-to-day basis and I was wondering what people's opinions were of the practicality of using the Tab as a primary device, to replace a phone as opposed to complementing it.
I'm not looking to carry two devices or to pay for a second data SIM, so without being rude I'm not particularly interested in how well the Tab complements other devices, only in how sensible an idea it is to use the Tab as my main phone.
I mean, I know that if I were to get the Tab, I'd probably need a spare handset to use on the odd occasion when I didn't want to or couldn't take the Tab with me but when I could take the Tab, I wouldn't be looking to carry a second device at the same time.
This all ties in to a thread I started in the 'General' section addressing the general issue of what phone to get.
I think of the options I mentioned in that thread, that I'm drawn most to the Tab because it would best suit my needs/use but the size/practicality is, understandably I feel, a concern.
Anyway, any/all feedback will be greatly appreciated.
You are not mental.
I use it as a phone every day with a BT headset and have no problem whatsoever .
The only occasion I will not use it as a phone is when I go out and I need something that fits in my pocket without sticking out.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
You're not alone. It's reasonable to use a bluetooth headset 1st, speakerphone 2nd and holding up to your ear 3rd. I predict 7" will be the new trend, large enough to make it easier to read but still pocketable in a man's jacket or lady's purse.
You can't hold again your head FYI. the earpiece isn't there on the tab.
clubtech... where did you get your unlocked phone and what did you pay if you don't mind sharing...
I'm looking for the least expensive unlocked quadband phone and so far the lowest price is ~$900 US.
thanks..
I use it is my primary phone and though it.is a bit cumbersome i dont mind it.
I need a good bluetooth headset with caller display though - can anybody recommend one?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
You can hold it to your head, you just need to put it upsidedown as the speakers are on the bottom of the phone, and when you use it that way the microphone will be right next your mouth.
I used it in this way a pair of time, you just need to lower the volume as the tab will automatically go in speaker phone mode when you don't have a paired bluetooth or wired headphone.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab
I just wonder how are you using it as a phone!
I live in the U.S.A, California. And my understanding that the Galaxy tab can't be used as a phone! The Galaxy tab is being release here with in 2 weeks!
I'm just wonder if there's a way that I could use it as a phone? Doe's any one here have any suggestions???
US models can't be used as a phone, EU ones can.
It's unclear whether the difference is hardware- or software-related.
So it's maybe possible that a US unti could be modded to make/receive calls or it may be impossible. Alternatively, you could procure an unlocked EU unit but you may have issues regarding network compatibility depending on your provider.
tab
tmobile is starting on the 10th that when we will know if it can make calls or not, ill know by night fall. lol
The short answer is: Yes. You should use it with a wireless/Bluetooth headset.
well, I for one gonna use it as a main phone
don't care how dorky it gonna looks like, especially if you're only in your office, or in your cubicle, or in your house
who cares
Bluetooth can always be there when you go out
thanks to clubtech for sharing his experience too, i finally decided to use this as my main
i got mine today, hopefully can use it soon enough since i'm on a remote area now
Devices with phone capabilities and multitasking will change the world.
Now, I can have Skype, Nimbus, Fring or whatever, running in background and ACTICE.
That means i can also receive calls without while the application is in the background.
From now, my availability on the VOIP equals the availability on the phone and the answering method is the same (Skype on the computer requires headset)
This means i will use VOIP more and more.
The idea of paying a voice call depending of distance is so obsolete !!!
Traditional telephony will decline.
I hope, in 5 years, the traditional telephony will be like analog telephony today
I believe that in few yeas will pay only a data plan, and telephony and TV will be over IP.
bulldebeerman said:
tmobile is starting on the 10th that when we will know if it can make calls or not, ill know by night fall. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're talking T-Mobile US, then there's no need to wait.
We already know it won't do calls.
Step666 said:
If you're talking T-Mobile US, then there's no need to wait.
We already know it won't do calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't know if it wont do after some serious flashing
Sounds like something that would take longer than 'til nightfall' to work out.
I hope of you guys can make it work as a phone!
I hope one of you guys can make it work as a phone!
I live in the U.S.A, California. I'm waiting to see if ATT or T-Mobile Galaxy tablet can be used as a phone!
I hope there's a APP that can be added ( like a VOIP app )can be used to work as a phone! I want to purchase the Galaxy tab , but I needed to work as a phone also! I know there's many people that need this also.
I just don't why !!! Samsung didn't allow the tablet to be used as cell phone here in the U.S.A.!
There is, apparently, an unlocked North American model that will arrive early next year which should, I think, allow calls.
The reason why none of the ones being sold by the various US networks will make calls is that the networks do not allow it.
If you want to apportion blame, then the bulk of it should fall upon the networks.
It's hard to see the logic behind that decision. Voice and data plans tend to pull in more revenue than data only plans, I can only imagine that the networks think you need to be forced into carrying both a phone and a tablet, when in reality most would choose that anyway.
Regards,
Dave
well im am using it as a phone every day, although its with a Bluetooth headset, but very happy with that! having no problems at all
recommended!
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Ok, so here’s my story:
Not too long ago, I bought myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7”. Ever since the device was announced by Samsung, I thought this was one of the coolest ideas since sliced bread. I could have a device roughly the size of a small book that pretty much did everything the iPad could do, and then some (like take pictures and run flash). On top of that, it was capable of making and receiving phone calls and text messages. Finally, a device that literally would do EVERYTHING I needed; no more need to lug around a netbook, a phone, a GPS in my car, or an iPod.
Not all was as peachy as I would have hoped however. Initially, it didn’t look as though this wonderful piece of technology would make it to American soil at all. Then, when it did, it was deliberately crippled for the North American market so that its native ability to make or receive regular phone calls and text messages was disabled at the software level. What a terrible thing to do! I was so disappointed by this news that I nearly abandoned any desire to head down to my local AT&T store to buy it. To add insult to injury, the only way AT&T offered the Tab was on a no-contract pay-as-you-go data plan, which is ludicrously expensive, particularly when compared with the fact that I’m one of the lucky customers who is grandfathered in to an unlimited data plan.
Eventually, however, my desire to own this device got the better of me, so I finally dished out the cash (and it was not cheap either!) for an unlocked and unbranded Tab which had the phone calling and texting abilities right out of the box. I popped the SIM card from my AT&T smartphone into my new Tab, fired it up, and started enjoying what was, up until recently, the best mobile user experience I have ever known.
I started referring to my Tab as my “Do-Everything-Device,” because it literally DID do everything I needed right from one device! It replaced my netbook, my phone, my GPS, my iPod, my Kindle, and the CD player/Radio in my car! It was so liberating not to have a phone attached to my hip and a bag on my shoulder for everything else I used to have to lug around with me. Sure there were occasions where carrying around a phone the size of a small book would have been ridiculous, but that’s what swapping SIM cards is for right? I’d simply switch back to my smartphone when the situation called for it.
Then things took a turn for the worse when AT&T started getting involved… Apparently this kind of quality user experience was not meant to be. I had received an automated text message one day telling me that I needed to be on the “proper data plan,” and that if I weren’t my service could be changed or suspended. Being a loyal paying customer to AT&T in its various previous incarnations for about 11 years now, and having an unlimited data plan on my line (which I should note I was NOT abusing; I generally used about 4 – 5GB or so per billing cycle), I was perplexed as to why I would have been receiving that message. So I called into customer service to inquire.
Upon some minor investigation on the customer service rep’s part, I was informed that the issue was that I was swapping back and forth between my Galaxy Tab and my smartphone (which it may be noted is a Samsung Captivate), and that I should stop doing that. Stop swapping out my SIM card between two of my most used devices? Really? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a SIM card in the first place? Still perplexed as to why this was an issue, I brought the matter to the attention of AT&T’s Office of the President to hopefully find some resolution to the problem. The gentleman I spoke with said he would investigate further and get back to me with his findings. A week later, get back to me he did! At first I thought, “Great! The highest level of customer service has come to bring me good news of a fair and reasonable compromise or resolution!” Little did I know he came to bear me bad news indeed…
The representative informed me that the issue wasn’t that I was swapping my SIM card per se, but rather the issue was with my Galaxy Tab specifically. Basically, I was told that AT&T’s intended use for the Galaxy Tab, regardless of where it was purchased, and regardless of whether it was carrier locked or unlocked or any of that, was that it was to be used as a data-only device, and furthermore as a pay-as-you-go data only device! I was basically given the option to get a pay-as-you-go SIM and use my Tab as AT&T intended it to be used (not as Samsung intended), or not use it at all, sorry. I was directed to the service agreement for “Specified Device Session-Based Plans.”
Excuse me? Sorry, but I don’t want to pay-as-I-go for data! I’m already paying for unlimited data, and there is nothing in those terms of service that say I can’t put my SIM card in whatever device I want, provided I’m not violating those terms! The representative proceeded to tell me that a user such as myself only accounted for a minority of the people subscribed, and that the current data plans AT&T offers caters to the majority. Ok, fine, cater to the majority. I get that. However, even as a lucky customer who has an unlimited data package, and even as a minority who chooses to stay informed about the latest technology, I should still be catered to as well. I mean, that’s what customer service is right? Making sure your customers’ needs are catered to? He said that the reason AT&T doesn’t still offer unlimited data is that “The average user only consumes about 2 or less GB a month.” Sure, that may be true for the average user currently, and it may be true furthermore for the average user who cares more about phones calls, text messages and Facebook updates more than frequently browsing rich web content and going to Youtube on their phone etc. However, with the much faster networks that are being deployed, and with more data intensive and media rich web content available today and tomorrow, that 2GB is going to be a bite-sized portion to the “average user” very shortly…
In my frustration, I argued that I am paying for the service to the SIM, not service to the device itself (otherwise what’s the point of the SIM in the first place?). As such, there shouldn’t be any issue with my circumventing AT&T’s artificial limitations on their branded Galaxy Tab’s hardware by buying directly from the manufacturer at a premium. I should be able to use my SIM in any device of my choosing, so long as I’m not violating the terms of service to that line, which I’m not (as I mentioned earlier, there was nothing in the Terms of Service that explicitly said I couldn’t use my SIM card in a tablet device.) Furthermore, I argued that the only real differences between the hardware in my Tab and the hardware in my Captivate were screen size, battery size, and the presence or absence of a front camera. For all the times I was told “Yes sir, I understand,” it really didn’t seem like he really understood…
It seems AT&T (and indeed any other US carrier which supplies a crippled Tab, or any other device) doesn’t want you to have a “Do Everything Device.” It’s bad for business! Why would they support a device that does everything your tablet or netbook does and everything your smartphone does, all on your single line subscription? Of course they’re going to cripple the Tab, because they want you to buy separate devices with separate line subscriptions and more money in their pockets! Not to mention, AT&T probably doesn’t want something that would have, up until recently, directly competed with the iPad, and frankly outdone it in some ways (when’s the last time you could make carrier phone calls, not SIP or VoIP, and text message on your iPad right out of the box?). I suppose that’s corporate America for you… What ever happened to providing superior service at the best value though?
So, if you are on AT&T, and you own a Galaxy Tab or are interested in getting one (or any other tablet on AT&T for that matter), here are some things to watch out for and speak out to:
AT&T is sweeping their network for devices by their IMEI, and if your device does not match up to whatever plan they want you to be on based on that device, your service could be changed or suspended.
If you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, AT&T is doing the best they can to get you OFF of that plan by being very specific about what devices can be used with those plans.
I am only one person, and as one person, my voice has fallen upon the deaf ears of a very large company. As such, I urge you to speak out as a collective to AT&T, tell them about this situation, and others which likewise are upsetting to you as a customer. AT&T can ignore one person, but not a crowd…
Don’t contact customer service. Go straight to the source! Call AT&T’s office of the president at 866-751-5784 (option 1). Also, speak out on their Facebook page. Talk to your friends and family, spread the word!
EDIT: Here's a petition to sign.
honestly what is the point? i feel sorry for you americans - if the tmobile at&t merge goes through then there will only be 1 GSM carrier (i may be wrong) in the US and the rest will be CDMA - and that means that all the foreign visitors will be on 1 bad network.
The problem with any network "merger" is that you always get the lowest common denominator.
Up to the end of last year, I was on T-Mobile UK, but when my contract came up I left and went to Three. Retentions called and asked why I was leaving, and I explained that Three had a truly unlimited data plan and TMo UK had a 3GB FUP (which was pretty good to be fair).
The CS Rep swore blind that TMo UK would never do anything to uphold the FUP, but I stood my ground and left anyway because I *knew* that the merger with Orange could only ever end up with their plans becoming roughly analogous.
True to form, less than 1 month later, TMo UK reduced their "download" allowance to 500MB bringing them roughly in line with their sister brand, Orange.
Regards,
Dave
There are others, see this thread (if you haven't already).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000921 (I have a post in there.)
FTR, I'm using AT&T SGT as a phone and data device, just not using 3G (or mythical 4G for that matter) data. You can't swing a dead cat w/out hitting a wireless AP so why hassle with AT&T over their expensive, slow 3G (if you're lucky) connections/data.
I hated AT&T so bad I dumped them years back and went Cingular. Well, I guess they wanted me back so bad...they went and bought Cingular
Thanks for the contact info. I'll rattle the cage.
Thanks for sharing, you have taken this a great leap farther then I have.
I love your justifications, definately will call tomorrow, more people that call, better chance of a change ( I can dream).
Again, I say what about some kind of class action for this, Maybe we should get a bounty going. I would give $100.00 towards the suit. And if more is needed, I would contribute.
Timtown said:
There are others, see this thread (if you haven't already).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000921 (I have a post in there.)
FTR, I'm using AT&T SGT as a phone and data device, just not using 3G (or mythical 4G for that matter) data. You can't swing a dead cat w/out hitting a wireless AP so why hassle with AT&T over their expensive, slow 3G (if you're lucky) connections/data.
I hated AT&T so bad I dumped them years back and went Cingular. Well, I guess they wanted me back so bad...they went and bought Cingular
Thanks for the contact info. I'll rattle the cage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Att 3g data is slow? LOLWUT. Have a look at Verizon's 3g speeds.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
And to the OP, I just ordered a new phone today from att. They did not once attempt to get me off of my unlimited data plan.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
lockheedload said:
And to the OP, I just ordered a new phone today from att. They did not once attempt to get me off of my unlimited data plan.
-Sent from my Galaxy Tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue (at least for the moment) isn't so much that AT&T will take away your unlimited data plan or not (although that WOULD be an annoyance), the issue is that AT&T doesn't want us using our Galaxy Tab's as phone devices, because that's not how THEY intended it to be used. AT&T would rather we have two SIM cards. One for a tablet device, and one for a phone device; not one SIM card for one device that just "does it all."
If they're artificially crippling the native capabilities of a device in order to force consumers into buying multiple devices to make up for those limitations, then they're price gouging, plain and simple.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Ok, so here’s my story:
Not too long ago, I bought myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7”. Ever since the device was announced by Samsung, I thought this was one of the coolest ideas since sliced bread. I could have a device roughly the size of a small book that pretty much did everything the iPad could do, and then some (like take pictures and run flash). On top of that, it was capable of making and receiving phone calls and text messages. Finally, a device that literally would do EVERYTHING I needed; no more need to lug around a netbook, a phone, a GPS in my car, or an iPod.
Not all was as peachy as I would have hoped however. Initially, it didn’t look as though this wonderful piece of technology would make it to American soil at all. Then, when it did, it was deliberately crippled for the North American market so that its native ability to make or receive regular phone calls and text messages was disabled at the software level. What a terrible thing to do! I was so disappointed by this news that I nearly abandoned any desire to head down to my local AT&T store to buy it. To add insult to injury, the only way AT&T offered the Tab was on a no-contract pay-as-you-go data plan, which is ludicrously expensive, particularly when compared with the fact that I’m one of the lucky customers who is grandfathered in to an unlimited data plan.
Eventually, however, my desire to own this device got the better of me, so I finally dished out the cash (and it was not cheap either!) for an unlocked and unbranded Tab which had the phone calling and texting abilities right out of the box. I popped the SIM card from my AT&T smartphone into my new Tab, fired it up, and started enjoying what was, up until recently, the best mobile user experience I have ever known.
I started referring to my Tab as my “Do-Everything-Device,” because it literally DID do everything I needed right from one device! It replaced my netbook, my phone, my GPS, my iPod, my Kindle, and the CD player/Radio in my car! It was so liberating not to have a phone attached to my hip and a bag on my shoulder for everything else I used to have to lug around with me. Sure there were occasions where carrying around a phone the size of a small book would have been ridiculous, but that’s what swapping SIM cards is for right? I’d simply switch back to my smartphone when the situation called for it.
Then things took a turn for the worse when AT&T started getting involved… Apparently this kind of quality user experience was not meant to be. I had received an automated text message one day telling me that I needed to be on the “proper data plan,” and that if I weren’t my service could be changed or suspended. Being a loyal paying customer to AT&T in its various previous incarnations for about 11 years now, and having an unlimited data plan on my line (which I should note I was NOT abusing; I generally used about 4 – 5GB or so per billing cycle), I was perplexed as to why I would have been receiving that message. So I called into customer service to inquire.
Upon some minor investigation on the customer service rep’s part, I was informed that the issue was that I was swapping back and forth between my Galaxy Tab and my smartphone (which it may be noted is a Samsung Captivate), and that I should stop doing that. Stop swapping out my SIM card between two of my most used devices? Really? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a SIM card in the first place? Still perplexed as to why this was an issue, I brought the matter to the attention of AT&T’s Office of the President to hopefully find some resolution to the problem. The gentleman I spoke with said he would investigate further and get back to me with his findings. A week later, get back to me he did! At first I thought, “Great! The highest level of customer service has come to bring me good news of a fair and reasonable compromise or resolution!” Little did I know he came to bear me bad news indeed…
The representative informed me that the issue wasn’t that I was swapping my SIM card per se, but rather the issue was with my Galaxy Tab specifically. Basically, I was told that AT&T’s intended use for the Galaxy Tab, regardless of where it was purchased, and regardless of whether it was carrier locked or unlocked or any of that, was that it was to be used as a data-only device, and furthermore as a pay-as-you-go data only device! I was basically given the option to get a pay-as-you-go SIM and use my Tab as AT&T intended it to be used (not as Samsung intended), or not use it at all, sorry. I was directed to the service agreement for “Specified Device Session-Based Plans.”
Excuse me? Sorry, but I don’t want to pay-as-I-go for data! I’m already paying for unlimited data, and there is nothing in those terms of service that say I can’t put my SIM card in whatever device I want, provided I’m not violating those terms! The representative proceeded to tell me that a user such as myself only accounted for a minority of the people subscribed, and that the current data plans AT&T offers caters to the majority. Ok, fine, cater to the majority. I get that. However, even as a lucky customer who has an unlimited data package, and even as a minority who chooses to stay informed about the latest technology, I should still be catered to as well. I mean, that’s what customer service is right? Making sure your customers’ needs are catered to? He said that the reason AT&T doesn’t still offer unlimited data is that “The average user only consumes about 2 or less GB a month.” Sure, that may be true for the average user currently, and it may be true furthermore for the average user who cares more about phones calls, text messages and Facebook updates more than frequently browsing rich web content and going to Youtube on their phone etc. However, with the much faster networks that are being deployed, and with more data intensive and media rich web content available today and tomorrow, that 2GB is going to be a bite-sized portion to the “average user” very shortly…
In my frustration, I argued that I am paying for the service to the SIM, not service to the device itself (otherwise what’s the point of the SIM in the first place?). As such, there shouldn’t be any issue with my circumventing AT&T’s artificial limitations on their branded Galaxy Tab’s hardware by buying directly from the manufacturer at a premium. I should be able to use my SIM in any device of my choosing, so long as I’m not violating the terms of service to that line, which I’m not (as I mentioned earlier, there was nothing in the Terms of Service that explicitly said I couldn’t use my SIM card in a tablet device.) Furthermore, I argued that the only real differences between the hardware in my Tab and the hardware in my Captivate were screen size, battery size, and the presence or absence of a front camera. For all the times I was told “Yes sir, I understand,” it really didn’t seem like he really understood…
It seems AT&T (and indeed any other US carrier which supplies a crippled Tab, or any other device) doesn’t want you to have a “Do Everything Device.” It’s bad for business! Why would they support a device that does everything your tablet or netbook does and everything your smartphone does, all on your single line subscription? Of course they’re going to cripple the Tab, because they want you to buy separate devices with separate line subscriptions and more money in their pockets! Not to mention, AT&T probably doesn’t want something that would have, up until recently, directly competed with the iPad, and frankly outdone it in some ways (when’s the last time you could make carrier phone calls, not SIP or VoIP, and text message on your iPad right out of the box?). I suppose that’s corporate America for you… What ever happened to providing superior service at the best value though?
So, if you are on AT&T, and you own a Galaxy Tab or are interested in getting one (or any other tablet on AT&T for that matter), here are some things to watch out for and speak out to:
AT&T is sweeping their network for devices by their IMEI, and if your device does not match up to whatever plan they want you to be on based on that device, your service could be changed or suspended.
If you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, AT&T is doing the best they can to get you OFF of that plan by being very specific about what devices can be used with those plans.
I am only one person, and as one person, my voice has fallen upon the deaf ears of a very large company. As such, I urge you to speak out as a collective to AT&T, tell them about this situation, and others which likewise are upsetting to you as a customer. AT&T can ignore one person, but not a crowd…
Don’t contact customer service. Go straight to the source! Call AT&T’s office of the president at 866-751-5784 (option 1). Also, speak out on their Facebook page. Talk to your friends and family, spread the word!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not on AT&T network any more I moved to sprint a few months before the Iphone came out its been that long, However AT&T is well with in there right to limit what device is allowed to do what on there network. Its sad that they would do that but in there contract agreement it is listed there.
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
In europe the wireless operators are selling services - like phone calls and data. In US they are selling devices capable of calling or having data.
This diffrenece means that in eu if I don't like something I can move to difirenet operator and keep devices. In us you can't. that is why are people complaing that at&t is messing with them. Cause if they go to other provider they need to pay again for every device. In my home country hspa+ is still caled 3g, dataplan 12Gig for 19eur/month included all taxes
icreepin said:
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would gladly switch carriers if it weren't for the fact that I do a lot of international traveling, and Sprint/Verizon both being CDMA carriers is a deal-breaker for me. I'm with AT&T because of the GSM bands it supports, and that's it. If it weren't for that, if Sprint and Verizon were GSM carriers too, just like most of the rest of the world, I'd have switched a long time ago without a doubt.
The other thing is, for the most part I'm not entirely unhappy with the service AT&T provides, when it's providing service to the equipment I use as that equipment was designed. I only have an issue when it's clear that they are imposing artificial schemes which force customers into a price gouging situation.
Crippling the native features of one device (i.e. phone calling on the Tab) in order to force the consumer into buying ANOTHER device and ANOTHER line subscription in order to fulfill that function, which was artificially crippled on the other device, THAT to me is price gouging.
AT&T absolutely has the right to lay out their own criteria for HOW their network is used. Likewise, the customers have the right to make enough of a fuss to AT&T about WHAT they can use on their network, particularly when they're not violating the HOW part of the ToS.
If we all as consumers are complacent and passive enough to just lay down and go with the attitude of "Oh well, it's their network, and they can treat us however they want with it..." then AT&T (and any company for that matter) will take advantage of that and gouge us for as much money as they can get.
I'm arguing that we've reached an "Enough is enough" point from the customer's perspective, and I am urging as many people as I can to speak out in a common voice to say "This is what we want. Please deliver."
If you don't like something, don't just say "Oh well..." and keep it to yourself. Express yourself, and make your issues known, and band together with people who share the same concerns, otherwise nothing will ever change for the betterment of the user.
Ok I think you need a better example what is fundamentally wrong with your wireless providers. Lets say the you would buy and electric drill and you use it as screwdriver as well. The power company would you charge $ more for that. And if you say no I go to someone else they say you need new drill cause it does not work on our grid. And cause of that some has made a standard power gird. Or am I wrong? If you solve this problem you get better service.
monoko said:
In europe the wireless operators are selling services - like phone calls and data. In US they are selling devices capable of calling or having data.
This diffrenece means that in eu if I don't like something I can move to difirenet operator and keep devices. In us you can't. that is why are people complaing that at&t is messing with them. Cause if they go to other provider they need to pay again for every device. In my home country hspa+ is still caled 3g, dataplan 12Gig for 19eur/month included all taxes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! And that's the thing, in America, we're in a largely CDMA network environment, where you can't just so easily keep on piece of hardware and jump from one carrier to another like you can with GSM using a SIM card. I mean you can still jump from one CDMA carrier to another using the same hardware, but it's a big hassle... Nowhere near as simple as popping in a different SIM card.
monoko said:
Ok I think you need a better example what is fundamentally wrong with your wireless providers. Lets say the you would buy and electric drill and you use it as screwdriver as well. The power company would you charge $ more for that. And if you say no I go to someone else they say you need new drill cause it does not work on our grid. And cause of that some has made a standard power gird. Or am I wrong? If you solve this problem you get better service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the issue it this:
The Galaxy Tab, directly from Samsung and in virtually every other market throughout the world, makes and receives phone calls and text messages just the same as any other smartphone can.
AT&T (and pretty much all other US carriers) have artificially (that is, on the software level, not hardware) disabled those native capabilities. In essence, they've crippled the functionality of the device.
The consumer is therefore forced to buy and carry two devices with them (a phone AND a tablet) in order to fulfill the complete functionality and user experience desired, in addition to paying for TWO separate lines.
My point is that if there is an option to use ONE device, which when unhindered can fulfill the duties of BOTH phone AND tablet, and AT&T FORCES you out of that option, and therefore FORCES you into paying more money, when you really don't have to, then THAT is price gouging.
icreepin said:
Since this has completely ticked you off I would suggest you move carriers if you truly want to show them how unhappy you are with there service. Calling and complaining really isnt going to do you any good since you are in the minority of users that do what you described.
just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or we could get a http://www.groubal.com/ petition going and see just how many people are considered minority. I be it is not a minority,
Whos to say the SGT users are a minority.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Exactly! And that's the thing, in America, we're in a largely CDMA network environment, where you can't just so easily keep on piece of hardware and jump from one carrier to another like you can with GSM using a SIM card. I mean you can still jump from one CDMA carrier to another using the same hardware, but it's a big hassle... Nowhere near as simple as popping in a different SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check ur PM
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
No, the issue it this:
...
AT&T (and pretty much all other US carriers) have artificially (that is, on the software level, not hardware) disabled those native capabilities. In essence, they've crippled the functionality of the device.
....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't understand the point. They can do it cause you have no other easy choise. (anti competitivie)
You should have standard, I am not saying GSM or SIM etc.
But to understand look at europe. (I am european, but that is not the point)
SIM - is external (that is the point of it)!!!... it's easy to change (dead phone... just borrow frends old and you fixed till you get new),
Protocol (GSM etc) is defined for allowed spectrum.
Defined Spectrum and no other. (they still need to buy the spectrum)
This gives you posibility of selling GSM phones without carriers cripple them.
So your US problem is free market. Sorry to say it that way I know you mostly proud of that. (Lest leave this alone... ).
Just I can see competition in this market as a bit virtual. (at least to me)
(check your history about power gird you will find that standards are sometimes needed for better consumer protection.)
Please no flame war.
mine just got blocked.
i got the email yesterday telling me to change it back to my phone or call in to discuss options for the tab. so i did at my first opportunity...
i just got blocked and then an email sent to me saying to call in and that it may be blocked on both devices...
awesome, just awesome...
This is a perfect example as to why i am dreading the att/tmo merger. I am a current tmo customer and i am currently using my tab as a phone like many tmo/att customers. I have called a few times to tmo customer service regarding different minor issues and they know that i am using the tab as my phone, because i have told them, and they have not said anything they just mention how good of a devise it is and all that stuff, no issues.
Basically i am on an unlimited android plan $24.99 and of course the voice is extra. Now since this is supposed to last a year before it goes through (i really hope not) i will probably be at the end of my contract if the merger goes through and i am sure i will be forced to make changes to my plan: first i would need to chose one of their plans (god know what they will be then and how much) and second, forget about even using my tab as i am currently using it. If they do this to their own customers they i dread to think what they will do to the tmo customers that decide to stay with them once their contracts are up.
So my question is what would be the chances of me keeping my original plan on a month to month basis and not sign a new contract? (don't want to sign a new contract as i am planning to move to the UK around 2013 if everything goes as planned), who knows the answer to this but all i can say that it is not looking good for us tmo customers that are used to good customer service.
A sad, sad day for us all!!!!!
honggee said:
mine just got blocked.
i got the email yesterday telling me to change it back to my phone or call in to discuss options for the tab. so i did at my first opportunity...
i just got blocked and then an email sent to me saying to call in and that it may be blocked on both devices...
awesome, just awesome...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and i am sure there is nothing anyone can do about this, either comply or move to sprint/verizon. i feel your pain even though i am not an att customer.
Ive been reading on some stuff regarding HTC and their lack of providing a true root unlock on their Android devices. So im wondering if its the same for their WP8 offerings? The main thing i want to do once i dev unlock the 8XT is to be able to get wifi sharing working, but im a bit worried that things like that would be locked down. Im not worried about the usage as it would be minimal at best, 1-2 megs a month prob at most.
Then, onto the Samsung issue... ive heard they are quite a bit more open to full rooting/unlocking and then theres the better resolution over the 8XT.
Then you have the price point, the 8XT is at Sams Club, Radio Shack and other places for $80 while at Sprint stores its $150 before $50 rebate. The ATIV S Neo will be $200 out the door and a $50 rebate.
So, your thoughts?
Talon Pro said:
Ive been reading on some stuff regarding HTC and their lack of providing a true root unlock on their Android devices. So im wondering if its the same for their WP8 offerings? The main thing i want to do once i dev unlock the 8XT is to be able to get wifi sharing working, but im a bit worried that things like that would be locked down. Im not worried about the usage as it would be minimal at best, 1-2 megs a month prob at most.
Then, onto the Samsung issue... ive heard they are quite a bit more open to full rooting/unlocking and then theres the better resolution over the 8XT.
Then you have the price point, the 8XT is at Sams Club, Radio Shack and other places for $80 while at Sprint stores its $150 before $50 rebate. The ATIV S Neo will be $200 out the door and a $50 rebate.
So, your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi sharing is locked down. The only method available to unlock it involves sim swapping with different carriers.
WiFi sharing is a built-in feature of the OS, but it will check your data plan for approval before you can use it. If your plan doesn't allow it, then there's no way I know of to reliably work around the restriction. However, we do have wired tethering for Samsung phone (haven't tested the Neo, but it should work) and that seems to bypass the carrier restrictions.
No WP8 phone has a "true root unlock" at all. The OEM policies for Android are quite irrelevant here (and FWIW, HTC does offer a bootloader unlock, which allows completely rooting the phone, on Android). We're working on "rooting" WP8, but so far, no dice except for isolated reports of success on specific models of phone, mostly the Huawei Ascend W1.
The Neo is more expensive than the XT because it's a better phone. Look at the specs; the Neo has a better (and bigger) display, better storage, bigger battery (and it's removable; not sure about that on the XT), and probably better cameras too. The XT will have better audio, but that's probably about it.
I keep using rooting in place of 'being able to unlock and flash' I guess. But an article I read today was complaining about HTC and their 'unlocking' issues.
I'm aware the ATIV does have better specs, but I haven't liked the feel of their HW since the Moment, it just feels cheap and light. Not that the XT isn't light and I don't like that either, coming from the likes of the Touch Pro and Touch Pro2 I currently use. I also don't really want a tablet for a phone lol, but I am disappointed that Sprint keeps wanting WVGA devices from HTC
The reason in looking for the WiFi tether is I'm putting Is Galaxy Tab 2 in my Mazda 6 and would like to use it occasionally for nav, and I doubt it has native USB hosting.
So having said all that, what's the SIM trick?
Talon Pro said:
I keep using rooting in place of 'being able to unlock and flash' I guess. But an article I read today was complaining about HTC and their 'unlocking' issues.
I'm aware the ATIV does have better specs, but I haven't liked the feel of their HW since the Moment, it just feels cheap and light. Not that the XT isn't light and I don't like that either, coming from the likes of the Touch Pro and Touch Pro2 I currently use. I also don't really want a tablet for a phone lol, but I am disappointed that Sprint keeps wanting WVGA devices from HTC
The reason in looking for the WiFi tether is I'm putting Is Galaxy Tab 2 in my Mazda 6 and would like to use it occasionally for nav, and I doubt it has native USB hosting.
So having said all that, what's the SIM trick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no "SIM trick".
you just need a data plan which allows tethering.
thals1992 said:
WiFi sharing is locked down. The only method available to unlock it involves sim swapping with different carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcosmin222 said:
There is no "SIM trick".
you just need a data plan which allows tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what i was talking about.
Talon Pro said:
This is what i was talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I had heard some success with having your primary MO's SIM in first, turn it off, place second MO's SIM in, turn back on, go to your mo config app (on nokia its access point in settings, on HTC its Connection Setup, I have no idea where its at on Samsung.) check if internet sharing is on, and repeat the process to go back to the first MO's settings.
I just didn't recall many people getting it working doing that, because I don't know if Internet Sharing can be relocked; hence I didn't reply in detail at first.
If you pay for it in your plan then it should be automatically enabled anyways......
Ok, so heres a stupid question that im sure i know the answer to.. but... here goes anyways...
Are the days of flashing a phone to another provider like WinMo gone? If you can flash a WP8 phone to work on Page Plus, could you theoretically get it on Sprint too?
It seems that if i want a decent handset that isnt the size of a tablet then a used Nokia is my best bet. 810/820/822's are all over eBay for around $150 and in my area i have T-Mo and Cinci Bell for GSM carriers, but T-Mo is the only one with unlimited data. Which brings up another point. I consider myself a fairly heavy data user, but these days its mostly email and the occasional Twitter website bombing using Opera Mini. I use an average of <300megs/month. So theoretically, i could go to Verizon with the 1GB plan and not worry about it, i just dont know how much more data i would use. Of the apps i mess around with on my wifi Arrive, i use Twitter and Words with Friends the most. Sometimes the eBay app, but i find its cumbersome when i have a real computer within reach nearly all day at work or home.
My biggest concern/***** is that as of Oct 19th ill have been with Sprint for 13 years and they really dont care to keep me that much. Ive had more than one person tell me that, yet despite the ones who say they value my loyalty, cant seem to prove it by offering a free handset, moving my upgrade period up 18 days or offering a 'special plan' like in the past. And they dont have good offerings like in the past and the plans.. ugh. Wheres the carrier that will let me get 200 mins/month with unlimited text/data for around $50 like you used to be able to get?
Talon Pro said:
Ok, so heres a stupid question that im sure i know the answer to.. but... here goes anyways...
Are the days of flashing a phone to another provider like WinMo gone? If you can flash a WP8 phone to work on Page Plus, could you theoretically get it on Sprint too?
It seems that if i want a decent handset that isnt the size of a tablet then a used Nokia is my best bet. 810/820/822's are all over eBay for around $150 and in my area i have T-Mo and Cinci Bell for GSM carriers, but T-Mo is the only one with unlimited data. Which brings up another point. I consider myself a fairly heavy data user, but these days its mostly email and the occasional Twitter website bombing using Opera Mini. I use an average of <300megs/month. So theoretically, i could go to Verizon with the 1GB plan and not worry about it, i just dont know how much more data i would use. Of the apps i mess around with on my wifi Arrive, i use Twitter and Words with Friends the most. Sometimes the eBay app, but i find its cumbersome when i have a real computer within reach nearly all day at work or home.
My biggest concern/***** is that as of Oct 19th ill have been with Sprint for 13 years and they really dont care to keep me that much. Ive had more than one person tell me that, yet despite the ones who say they value my loyalty, cant seem to prove it by offering a free handset, moving my upgrade period up 18 days or offering a 'special plan' like in the past. And they dont have good offerings like in the past and the plans.. ugh. Wheres the carrier that will let me get 200 mins/month with unlimited text/data for around $50 like you used to be able to get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing Nokia's - YES! Anything else... idk, I haven't tested.
With having Sprint/PagePlus, you don't have much of a choice, because there aren't any unbranded CDMA phones on the market, there's usually one or variants for the carrier (usually just color options, but sometimes different models) and thats it. I'd personally recommend Verizon (awesome speed, but meh datacaps) for their stable network covering areas that Sprint/AT&T(Or cincinnati-bell for that matter and I'm in cinci )/T-Mobile can't cover. I'd personally just recommend follow whichever has the fastest, but that might not be very friendly on the wallet.
All in all, just stick with a 500mb plan, I usually use that much and I even use metrotube (3rd party youtube app) fairly often. I can't say though, I'm on my mother's plan still and its 20GBs shared with the HomeFusion thingy (VZW is our home ISP, still better than satellite though.)
Or, have you thought of a pay as you go phone? I thought I saw one for AT&T and one for T-Mobile. I can't really recommend anything on price though.
Hope that helps a bit.
Talon Pro said:
I keep using rooting in place of 'being able to unlock and flash' I guess. But an article I read today was complaining about HTC and their 'unlocking' issues.
I'm aware the ATIV does have better specs, but I haven't liked the feel of their HW since the Moment, it just feels cheap and light. Not that the XT isn't light and I don't like that either, coming from the likes of the Touch Pro and Touch Pro2 I currently use. I also don't really want a tablet for a phone lol, but I am disappointed that Sprint keeps wanting WVGA devices from HTC
The reason in looking for the WiFi tether is I'm putting Is Galaxy Tab 2 in my Mazda 6 and would like to use it occasionally for nav, and I doubt it has native USB hosting.
So having said all that, what's the SIM trick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I read correctly... you're currently using a HTC Touch Pro 2?
What service plan do you currently have with Sprint?
I'm curious since I'm having a similar dilemma you are facing.
Well, as of that post, yes. I just dumped Sprint after 13 years cause i wanted a Nokia and the 810 was exactly what i wanted. I was on the Everything Talk/Text 450 with a special $3.50 unlimited data plan. If you can look past the internet programming itself into Opera's oblivion and the lack of apps for things you have to use the website for, stay with Sprint. I do NOT recommend the 8XT and the ATIV S Neo just wasnt grabbing anything on the 'like' column. So far with T-Mo ive only found one spot i dont have full 4G coverage at and all i need to do is walk out the door to get it back.
Whats crazy is i still only use around 250megs of data and i have Twitter, WWF, 4 emails accounts 2 of which check every 30 mins. Now that i finally got Sims Free installed ill probably use more data, but still, no where near the 2.5gigs i pay for. Also, for two lines, i pay $100/month for unlimited talk/text and 2.5 gigs of data for 2 lines and thats before my 15% discount. Beat that Sprint. Oh, wait, you cant.
Stupid website...
if you're interested in hacking your phone, get the ATIV. Samsung's diagnosis app (built into the phone) is making messing with WP8 easy. You're able to directly edit the registry and do all sorts of stuff