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VZW and LG no longer supporting Macs
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| Within the past two weeks I purchased an LG8500(Chocolate) and an LG8600
for use by me and my son. Both phones have problems with the mp3 file
transfer process from desktop to card to phone (it can be done, and we
are doing it, but you get duplicate files, one of which is not playable
and even freezes the phone).
I first tried to solve the problem by consulting the Mobiledia and
Howard LG forums, and discovered that other Mac users were having the
same problem; then I talked to the tech support at my VZW store. They
were totally stumped and referred me to VZW tech support, which I called
today. The first person I talked to didn't know how to fix the problem,
so I was referred to a higher level on the tech support chain. I was
then informed by that person that *none* of their tech people could help
as they were not trained to deal with Macs, and that I probably knew
more than they did. I asked when that happened, and was told that they
have not supported Macs for about a year. I was shocked and, to say the
least, not happy!
The tech rep then connected me with LG; a very snotty person informed me
that none of their phones are designed to work with Macs, and that my
only option was to return the phone(s) for a refund.
I expressed my dismay to this person and asked if they were no longer
interested in doing business with Mac users. She restated that they
didn't support Macs - this person really did not care. I pointed out the
obvious - that by not designing their new phones and software to be
compatible with Macs that they were, indeed,, telling Mac users they
don't care about our business. She couldn't have cared less.
I was so mad that I just thanked the VZW rep, who had stayed on the line
(and who was, by the way, very apologetic and as helpful as she could
be, given the circumstances) and hung up. I called VZW again to file a
formal complaint; the response was "well, you can return the phone."
When I asked what was going to happen to my complaint, I was told that
it would just be noted on my file, so I asked to speak to a supervisor,
who called me back in 10 minutes. I was once again told the same story -
that none of VZW's phones are meant to be used with Macs and that I
could just return the phone. I told her that none of the literature
stated it could not be used with Macs, none of the store personnel knew
that Macs were no longer supported, etc. etc., and that I believe this
is misleading if not false advertising, and that I intend to file
complaints with whichever federal agency it is appropriate (will do that
tomorrow).
Since my local store people had been so helpful I called the store and
got ahold of one of the tech people (who knows me by now!) and told him
about what had happened. He was floored and told me that most of the
people who work in the store are Mac users and will be very unhappy to
find about this. He is going to send emails to all store personnel
informing them about VZW's stated position.
I should note here that I have been using a Samsung SCHa960 for the past
year and have been having no difficulties transferring mp3's from my Mac
via the card reader; playback has been fine, too, and no duplicate lists
have been created. I wanted the Chocolate because I listen to both
recorded books and music, and wanted to be able to create playlists. I
don't want to buy an iPod, either! (too many things to carry) This
looked like a good solution. Hah!
I hope this will be a clarion call to all Mac users, in particular, to
raise what-for with VZW (LG); I think this should also be a cautionary
tale for all VZW users about the direction VZW is going.
I have been a faithful - and, for the most part - satisfied VZW
customers for over 15 years and have even convinced my extended family
to hook up woth VZW.
I don't yet know what I'm going to do with the phone. I've figured out
work-arounds for the problems, and on the 8600 we've figured out how to
delete the duplicate, non-playable files (can't seem to do it on the
Chocolate). I would switch to that from the Chocolate but the process
for moving songs onto the Playlists on the 8600 is very inefficient
compared to the Chocolate, which my 20-yr old son doesn't care about.
So, once again, buyer beware. I hope if enough people raise a ruckus it
will make VZW reconsider it's position. I stilll find that they have the
best reception everywhere I go (plus I have a new 2-yr contract).
| |
| max@dontspam.me 2006-12-07, 10:33 pm |
| On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:42:50 GMT, tasa <tasa_news@earthlink.net>
graced this newsgroup with:
<snip>
>
>I hope this will be a clarion call to all Mac users, in particular, to
>raise what-for with VZW (LG); I think this should also be a cautionary
>tale for all VZW users about the direction VZW is going.
...how are you going to "raise what for" with three people? That's not
even considered a "mini mob"
<ducking and running>
| |
|
| Gee, aren't you cute and so original with your anti-Mac "humor".
You won't think it's so funny when VZW gores your ox.
max@dontspam.me wrote:
> On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:42:50 GMT, tasa <tasa_news@earthlink.net>
> graced this newsgroup with:
>
> <snip>
>
>
>
> ..how are you going to "raise what for" with three people? That's not
> even considered a "mini mob"
>
>
>
> <ducking and running>
>
| |
| Elector 2006-12-08, 7:33 am |
|
"tasa" <tasa_news@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:JQ6eh.8270$ql2.5990@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Gee, aren't you cute and so original with your anti-Mac "humor".
>
> You won't think it's so funny when VZW gores your ox.
>
Who cares? Really. You bought a cell phone and it doesn't work with a
Apple Mac, big deal. You should have read the specs on the carton and
it would have told you in all likelihood it was not mac compatible.
More folks than not use Windows, based PC's. So a cell phone
manufacturer should make the phones compatible with all systems? No I
don't think so. Just do as they said at Verizon: "Return the Phones"
And for the record, I don't like Mac's and I can get one for free at
work. More stable? Possibly. Not Prone to virus infections?
Documented. But the choice is like most people mine to make.
Elector
| |
| Robert Coe 2006-12-08, 10:33 pm |
| On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:42:50 GMT, tasa <tasa_news@earthlink.net> wrote:
: Within the past two weeks I purchased an LG8500(Chocolate) and an LG8600
: for use by me and my son. Both phones have problems ...
:
: I ... discovered that other Mac users were having the same problem; ...
: I ... was told that they have not supported Macs for about a year. I was
: shocked ...
:
: The tech rep then connected me with LG; a very snotty person informed me
: that none of their phones are designed to work with Macs, ...
:
: I expressed my dismay to this person and asked if they were no longer
: interested in doing business with Mac users. She restated that they
: didn't support Macs ...
:
: I was so mad that I just thanked the VZW rep, ...
: I called VZW again to file a formal complaint; ...
: When I asked what was going to happen to my complaint, I was told that
: it would just be noted on my file, so I asked to speak to a supervisor,
: who called me back in 10 minutes. I was once again told the same story -
: that none of VZW's phones are meant to be used with Macs and that I
: could just return the phone. I told her that none of the literature
: stated it could not be used with Macs, none of the store personnel knew
: that Macs were no longer supported, etc. etc., and that I believe this
: is misleading if not false advertising, and that I intend to file
: complaints with whichever federal agency it is appropriate (will do that
: tomorrow). ...
:
: I hope this will be a clarion call to all Mac users, ...
:
: So, once again, buyer beware. I hope if enough people raise a ruckus it
: will make VZW reconsider it's [sic] position. I...
Shocking! Appalling!! I understand they also don't support the Apple II, the
Lisa, the TRS-80, the CDC 6600, the Univac 1108, or even the DEC PDP-11. Why
don't you write to your congressman? Maybe you can get Verizon's officers and
directors hauled before a tribunal and compelled to confess the error of their
ways. A National Boycott might also be in order.
Alternatively, you could (I suppose) just get a life.
| |
|
| 1) There are no system specs on any of the packaging or in the
literature that came with the phone.
2) The user's manual specifically says that you can play wma's or mp3's
on the Chocolate.
As to this ridiculous thing about Macs vs Windows, what's your point? I
thought this was a Verizon newsgroup, not a "let's bash Macs" newsgroup.
Since Macs and Windows are the two main operating systems on the market,
and the Mac market is growing faster than ever, seems like good
marketing sense to design phones to work with both.
Really. Grow up.
Elector wrote:
> "tasa" <tasa_news@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:JQ6eh.8270$ql2.5990@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
>
>
> Who cares? Really. You bought a cell phone and it doesn't work with a
> Apple Mac, big deal. You should have read the specs on the carton and
> it would have told you in all likelihood it was not mac compatible.
>
> More folks than not use Windows, based PC's. So a cell phone
> manufacturer should make the phones compatible with all systems? No I
> don't think so. Just do as they said at Verizon: "Return the Phones"
>
> And for the record, I don't like Mac's and I can get one for free at
> work. More stable? Possibly. Not Prone to virus infections?
> Documented. But the choice is like most people mine to make.
>
> Elector
>
>
| |
| Elector 2006-12-09, 10:33 am |
|
"Robert Coe" <bob@1776.COM> wrote in message
news:gkbkn2hn5svru79
tq5ahp27lt7pag2d057@
4ax.com...
<snip>
> Shocking! Appalling!! I understand they also don't support the Apple
> II, the
> Lisa, the TRS-80, the CDC 6600, the Univac 1108, or even the DEC
> PDP-11. Why
> don't you write to your congressman? Maybe you can get Verizon's
> officers and
> directors hauled before a tribunal and compelled to confess the
> error of their
> ways. A National Boycott might also be in order.
>
> Alternatively, you could (I suppose) just get a life.
I could not agree with your statement more. it would seem Tasa has a
problem because he/she bought a Mac and now wants to do the old defend
it to the death for his/her bad decision.
Hell you buy a phone to make phone calls, not to make games and music.
it is funny that most if not all the cell phone companies want folks
to play music and videos and forget the primary use for the phone.
Elector
| |
| Elector 2006-12-09, 10:33 am |
|
"tasa" <tasa_news@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:wrleh.8975$1s6.6283@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> 1) There are no system specs on any of the packaging or in the
> literature that came with the phone.
>
> 2) The user's manual specifically says that you can play wma's or
> mp3's on the Chocolate.
>
> As to this ridiculous thing about Macs vs Windows, what's your
> point? I thought this was a Verizon newsgroup, not a "let's bash
> Macs" newsgroup.
>
> Since Macs and Windows are the two main operating systems on the
> market, and the Mac market is growing faster than ever, seems like
> good marketing sense to design phones to work with both.
>
> Really. Grow up.
>
I would say to take your own advice. "Grow Up" its a cell phone which
primary purpose is to make and receive telephone calls. So you bought
the wrong computer and now your crying because the companies don't
make them Mac compatible. Big deal. You were given the choice of
returning the phones. So return them and buy another big music and
video phone that may work on the Mac.
Oh by the way your whine about the compatibility of the phones with a
Mac was the basis of the reply. You don't like the reply. Tough.
Elector
| |
|
| In article <wrleh.8975$1s6.6283@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
tasa <tasa_news@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Since Macs and Windows are the two main operating systems on the market,
> and the Mac market is growing faster than ever, seems like good
> marketing sense to design phones to work with both.
It may seem like good _marketing_ sense, but apparently LG has
decided it does not make good _economic_ sense. Frankly, I can't
blame a cell-phone manufacturer for putting its resources into an OS
that holds 3/4 of the market (I know Windows holds more in total,
but I also know there is a fair number of Win98 and WinME and
server-class boxes out there which will never be candidates for
syncing to a cell phone).
I'm not a Mac-basher, either. It's _my_ computer of choice. I'm just
aware that, even with a relatively fast rate of increasing market
share, Mac OS holds only a tiny fraction of the market. I had to buy
third-party software to sync my Nokia with my Mac (iSync is not
supported on that model). I _did_ search the Internet to see what
kind of Mac support there was before I bought my phone. If you
choose to return the phones, I'd do a little shopping on-line before
choosing another brand.
You might want to use your favorite search engine to look for the
phrase chocolate "os x" and see what comes up. There may be a
relatively easy way to do this.
sd
| |
| ru2b12 2006-12-10, 3:33 pm |
| We Mac user's can only hope that Apples rumored phone offering is up to
snuff if and should it ever see the light of day there are 2 things we
can count on, OSX integration and style! :-)
| |
| Joshua Baker-LePain 2006-12-11, 3:33 pm |
| On 2006-12-10, ru2b12 <ru2b12@nomayo.com> wrote:
> We Mac user's can only hope that Apples rumored phone offering is up to
> snuff if and should it ever see the light of day there are 2 things we
> can count on, OSX integration and style! :-)
And a 3rd thing -- it being absurdly overpriced. ;)
--
Joshua "hates both Windows and MacOS and uses neither" Baker-LePain
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Duke University
| |
| Isaiah Beard 2006-12-11, 3:33 pm |
| tasa wrote:
> Within the past two weeks I purchased an LG8500(Chocolate) and an LG8600
> for use by me and my son. Both phones have problems with the mp3 file
> transfer process from desktop to card to phone (it can be done, and we
> are doing it, but you get duplicate files, one of which is not playable
> and even freezes the phone).
The problem, incidentally, is your Mac and NOT the Phone. No, really, I
deal with Macs all the time in a cross-platform environment, and this
problem is a constant. The Macintosh Journaled File System inserts
index files for every *actual* file that is has to work with on a FAT32
drive. Incidentally, these index files only contain a couple of bytes
of header data, and are largely named EXACTLY the same as the file they
are supposed to mirror. This is why your LG Chocolate phone is seeing
two files, one of which it can't play: it's listing both the mp3 files
(which SHOULD be there) and the index file (which SHOULDN'T be there,
and if Apple new how to properly manage removable file system, wouldn't
NEED to be there).
The only solution is to connect the phone to a PC and delete the index
files. Or, somehow convince Apple to make OS X manage FAT32 file
systems the way every other operating system in the world does
(including linux and non-Apple flavors of UNIX).
> The tech rep then connected me with LG; a very snotty person informed me
> that none of their phones are designed to work with Macs, and that my
> only option was to return the phone(s) for a refund.
That seems like quite an honorable and proper response to me.
> I expressed my dismay to this person and asked if they were no longer
> interested in doing business with Mac users. She restated that they
> didn't support Macs - this person really did not care. I pointed out the
> obvious - that by not designing their new phones and software to be
> compatible with Macs that they were, indeed,, telling Mac users they
> don't care about our business. She couldn't have cared less.
The simple fact is, you cannot compel a corporation to accommodate
everyone, your righteous indignation notwithstanding. It's the
equivalent of you buying a hydrogen fuel-cell car, pulling into a gas
station and then throwing a tantrum because gosh-darnit, they don't
happen to carry hydrogen. Yes yes, we applaud your smug sense of
superiority and your ability to buck the trend and think different. But
that doesn't mean that everyone must make special accommodations for
oh-so-special you.
Frankly, Apple has had since 1977 to develop a computer that can take
over the Microsoft dominated market. alleged monopoly notwithstanding,
people WANT an alternative to Windows, now more than ever. Sadly, Apple
can't seem to take advantage of this for some reason, and they remain a
distant second.
Buy a Hydrogen car, expect to have to figure how to fuel it. Buy a Mac,
expect incompatibility issues. That's just the way it is.
> So, once again, buyer beware.
Yes! Don't buy a Mac. :) Or better yet , buy a Windows or Linux
machine, and with the money you save over the Mac sticker price, buy an
iPod AND a cell phone. :)
--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
| |
| Isaiah Beard 2006-12-11, 3:33 pm |
| Joshua Baker-LePain wrote:
> On 2006-12-10, ru2b12 <ru2b12@nomayo.com> wrote:
>
> And a 3rd thing -- it being absurdly overpriced. ;)
AND replaced with something new every three months, completely
obsoleting the previous models.
Don't get me wrong, I USE Apple products (including OS X computers at
work) and even have my own 60GB video iPod. However, i DO issues with
the "Cult of Mac" and their snobbishness, and the culture at Apple
itself. I think despite their belief that Macs should be everywhere, it
is their elitist mentality that PREVENTS that from happening.
--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
| |
| ru2b12 2006-12-11, 10:33 pm |
| In article < 12nrhtgd7c3ka7b@corp
.supernews.com>,
Isaiah Beard < sacredpoet@sacredpoe
t.com> wrote:
> Joshua Baker-LePain wrote:
No doubt though no more expensive than the sonyericsson models.
I expect apple will eventually price them as they do all of their
product lines... good, better & best!
[color=darkred]
>
> AND replaced with something new every three months, completely
> obsoleting the previous models.
Sickening isn't it?
This is why i have not yet made the jump to the Intel machine,
Let em' get all the kinks out, the real deal ( a solid machine) is still
coming.
Of course this is likely due to apple trying to keep step with the PC
manufacturer's as they are all grabbing at the same chips now.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I USE Apple products (including OS X computers at
> work) and even have my own 60GB video iPod. However, i DO issues with
> the "Cult of Mac" and their snobbishness, and the culture at Apple
> itself. I think despite their belief that Macs should be everywhere, it
> is their elitist mentality that PREVENTS that from happening.
If they keep going the way they are (quality control) it won't happen.
The one thing you could always count on with apple was
equal parts style & quality, now with so many revisions to the product
line it appears that quality has slipped a little.
Still, trust they will come through this Intel transition with flying
colors... though our feathers may be ruffled a bit. ;-)
| |
| Michael Wise 2006-12-11, 10:33 pm |
| In article <slrnenrbds.oj8.jlb17@chaos.egr.duke.edu>,
Joshua Baker-LePain <jlb17@begone.spam.duke.edu> wrote:
> On 2006-12-10, ru2b12 <ru2b12@nomayo.com> wrote:
>
> And a 3rd thing -- it being absurdly overpriced. ;)
Joshua; 1988 just called...they want their argument back.
--Mike
| |
|
| In article < 12nrhtgd7c3ka7b@corp
.supernews.com>,
Isaiah Beard < sacredpoet@sacredpoe
t.com> wrote:
> Joshua Baker-LePain wrote:
>
> AND replaced with something new every three months, completely
> obsoleting the previous models.
Well, thank goodness the Wintel world never does anything like that.
Remember VESA? Microchannel? More recently, Zune (which manages not
to play any previous "Windows-compatible" format)?
> Don't get me wrong, I USE Apple products (including OS X computers at
> work) and even have my own 60GB video iPod. However, i DO issues with
> the "Cult of Mac" and their snobbishness, and the culture at Apple
> itself. I think despite their belief that Macs should be everywhere, it
> is their elitist mentality that PREVENTS that from happening.
I guess I don't see any more of that "Cult" or their alleged
snobbishness than I see long-obsolete comments like Joshua's or
comments from fanboys along the lines of "Well, if you bought a
_real_ computer..." (usually uttered between breaks in updating
anti-malware software or reinstalling Windows to fix another
corrupted hard drive).
I just know that, as a user of a "minority platform", I made my
choice. As with any choice, there's a price. If I have to fiddle
more with my phone or do some research before I buy it, so be it.
VZW offering to let the OP return the phone is a generous gesture on
their part. Sounds to me like she should take them up on it.
sd
| |
| Isaiah Beard 2006-12-19, 10:33 pm |
| sd wrote:
> In article < 12nrhtgd7c3ka7b@corp
.supernews.com>,
> Isaiah Beard < sacredpoet@sacredpoe
t.com> wrote:
>
>
> Well, thank goodness the Wintel world never does anything like that.
> Remember VESA? Microchannel?
Neither of which were Wintel. Those were attempts at making proprietary
closed architectures, by companies who tried to do what Apple is doing.
Thankfully, they've mostly learned from their mistakes.
> More recently, Zune
Not a computer platform. If you're going to make an argument, at least
compare apples to apples (no pun intended).
>
> I guess I don't see any more of that "Cult" or their alleged
> snobbishness than I see long-obsolete comments like Joshua's or
> comments from fanboys along the lines of "Well, if you bought a
> _real_ computer..." (usually uttered between breaks in updating
> anti-malware software or reinstalling Windows to fix another
> corrupted hard drive).
Pot, Kettle, Black, eh? :)
--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
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