Cingular cell phone service - NEWS: My mobile is...a...um...

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NEWS: My mobile is...a...um...

John Navas

2006-07-18, 12:33 pm

Consumers unaware of their phone's make and model
<http://www.theregister.com/2006/07/18/mobile_ignorance/>

Mobile phone operators are missing an opportunity to sell high-cost
multimedia mobile services because more than half their customers
don't have a clue what phone they are using, according to research.

A survey of 761 mobile phone users aged 15 and over, commissioned from
Ipsos MORI by LogicaCMG, found that 49 per cent of mobile phone users
didn't know what model they use. A further nine per cent were unaware
of the make.

[MORE]

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John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

Bob Fry

2006-07-18, 10:33 pm

>>>>> "JN" == John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> writes:
JN> A survey of 761 mobile phone users aged 15 and over,
JN> commissioned from Ipsos MORI by LogicaCMG, found that 49 per
JN> cent of mobile phone users didn't know what model they use. A
JN> further nine per cent were unaware of the make.

My Samsung says "Samsung" on the outside (make), but nothing at all to
indicate SGH-D407 (model). Who can remember the model when you're
never reminded of it? I'm surprised even half remember it.

Andy Ball

2006-07-21, 12:33 pm

My phone is a crock of something unpleasant. It has buggy
firmware, poor reception and a lousy earpiece built in.
Sadly the carrier doesn't offer any decent replacement
handsets even if I renew my contract. Why is it that phones
seem to have got progressively worse over the last ten
years?!

- Andy Ball

John Navas

2006-07-25, 3:33 pm

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:07:06 GMT, Andy Ball <ball@not.valid> wrote in
<KY6wg.1079$gF6.299@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>:

>My phone is a crock of something unpleasant. It has buggy
>firmware, poor reception and a lousy earpiece built in.
>Sadly the carrier doesn't offer any decent replacement
>handsets even if I renew my contract. Why is it that phones
>seem to have got progressively worse over the last ten
>years?!

Perhaps because you're not choosing as carefully? I personally find
current phones vastly better than older ones.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

Andy Ball

2006-07-26, 4:33 am

Hello John,

JN> Perhaps because you're not choosing as carefully? I
> personally find current phones vastly better than
> older ones.

When I bought the phone that I use currently, I was signing
up for a new contract and had to choose a phone there and
then from the limited selection available. That day I chose
the same one my wife bought so that we could mix-and-match
chargers etc. It took me a while to realise the nature of
the earpiece problem, and how much of a hindrance it would
be. The firmware bugs didn't show up until later when I
tried to use services beyond simple voice calls.

When I renewed my contract, my wife bought a new phone. I
was sufficiently under-impressed with the available
selection that stuck with the rather poor phone that I have
now, figuring I'd save myself money that I could put toward
a better phone when I eventually manage to find one.

I don't want a digital camera in my phone. I have a slight
preference for a mono display (they seem much more readable
in sunlight). I want good audio, decent reception and firm
-ware that works. An external antenna jack would be a
definite plus, and it should work as a modem for CSD & GPRS
with an RS-232 (preferred) or USB cable. I don't want
flashing antennas, hi-fi ring tones, flips or slides, just
a sensible, reliable business phone that doesn't suck
horribly. Is that really too much to ask?!!

- Andy Ball

John Navas

2006-07-26, 10:33 am

On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 08:50:45 GMT, Andy Ball <ball@not.valid> wrote in
<F1Gxg.5487$157.1961@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>:

> JN> Perhaps because you're not choosing as carefully? I
>
>When I bought the phone that I use currently, I was signing
>up for a new contract and had to choose a phone there and
>then from the limited selection available. That day I chose
>the same one my wife bought so that we could mix-and-match
>chargers etc. It took me a while to realise the nature of
>the earpiece problem, and how much of a hindrance it would
>be. The firmware bugs didn't show up until later when I
>tried to use services beyond simple voice calls.

Why didn't you return/exchange those phones for something better while
still in the trial period?

>When I renewed my contract, my wife bought a new phone. I
>was sufficiently under-impressed with the available
>selection that stuck with the rather poor phone that I have
>now, figuring I'd save myself money that I could put toward
>a better phone when I eventually manage to find one.

You'll find useful reviews of phones on a number of websites; e.g.,
phonescoop.com

>I don't want a digital camera in my phone. I have a slight
>preference for a mono display (they seem much more readable
>in sunlight). I want good audio, decent reception and firm
>-ware that works. An external antenna jack would be a
>definite plus, and it should work as a modem for CSD & GPRS
>with an RS-232 (preferred) or USB cable. I don't want
>flashing antennas, hi-fi ring tones, flips or slides, just
>a sensible, reliable business phone that doesn't suck
>horribly. Is that really too much to ask?!!

No. That's pretty much my list too, except that I want good battery
life, speakerphone, Bluetooth for both headset and tethering,
EGPRS(EDGE) Class 10 for good data speed, a capable phone book and
calendar, alarm clock, calculator, and Java (J2ME) application support.
Currently I think the best fit for my needs is the Motorola V360 (even
though it has features I don't care about).

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

Andy Ball

2006-07-27, 4:33 am

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Hello John,

JN> Why didn't you return/exchange those phones for
> something better while still in the trial period?

I've no idea how long the trial period was, or even if there
was one.

JN> You'll find useful reviews of phones on a number of
> websites; e.g., phonescoop.com

Thanks, I'll have a look at that one.

JN> Currently I think the best fit for my needs is the
> Motorola V360 (even though it has features I don't
> care about).

I swore off Motorola products some years ago, but the dearth
of decent handsets has persuaded me to widen my search a
little. The phone that my wife bought is a Motorola v188. I
am not impressed with it as a phone, in part because of the
dim little screen and terrible address book (worse that the
phone I'm using now!) I get an urge to stamp on the thing
whenever I see it.

I was, however, impressed that it took an ordinary mini USB
cable and "just worked" as a modem with unix, no proprietary
software required. I don't know whether that's a feature
common to Motorola phones, or whether I could use GPRS in a
similar fassion (if I added that to my voice plan). I'll
look up the v360.

- Andy Ball

John Navas

2006-07-27, 10:33 pm

On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:59:36 GMT, Andy Ball <ball@not.valid> wrote in
<In_xg.5960$157.2205@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>:

> JN> Why didn't you return/exchange those phones for
>
>I've no idea how long the trial period was, or even if there
>was one.

That's covered in your Sales Agreement. Did you read it before signing?
;)

> JN> Currently I think the best fit for my needs is the
>
>I swore off Motorola products some years ago, but the dearth
>of decent handsets has persuaded me to widen my search a
>little. The phone that my wife bought is a Motorola v188. I
>am not impressed with it as a phone, in part because of the
>dim little screen and terrible address book (worse that the
>phone I'm using now!) I get an urge to stamp on the thing
>whenever I see it.

Don't judge all Moto products by its loss leaders.

>I was, however, impressed that it took an ordinary mini USB
>cable and "just worked" as a modem with unix, no proprietary
>software required. I don't know whether that's a feature
>common to Motorola phones, or whether I could use GPRS in a
>similar fassion (if I added that to my voice plan). I'll
>look up the v360.

I think you'll be impressed.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

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