Cingularly Worthless?
Did anybody else out there, with an OS X Mac, buy a Bluetooth Sony Ericsson T68i phone (I got mine about a year ago), after being told by Cingular sales reps that they'd be able to use it as a modem with their iBook or Powerbook? I just got off the phone with one of those phone company ladies (in response to a nasty letter about another issue -- how they're sneakily overcharging me every month [no matter how often I complain and ask them to stop] to the tune of about 75 cents for long distance charges, when I pay for free nationwide long distance service).
While I was on the phone with this woman, I was reminded -- very unpleasantly reminded, that is -- of how I'd paid extra to get this phone, and even signed up for two years with them to get it at a discounted rate. I did this only because Cingular told me I'd be able to use my phone as a modem. Well, not only could I not make it work as a modem, my boyfriend couldn't either -- after spending about two excruciating hours on the phone with their tech people. Now, my boyfriend is a guy who, among other things, not only designs Web sites (my blog, for example), he pretty much takes apart computers and puts them back together for amusement...so, if he can't get the damn phone to work as a modem, nobody can. In short, I think I got rooked.
The Cingular woman, most irritatingly, kept telling me, "I'm sorry that you feel that way." "No, you aren't!" I eventually shouted into the phone, after hearing about her twelfth robotically repeated apology. "If you were truly sorry, you'd give me back the money that I wasted on this phone...and my Bluetooth (connection) chicklet, too!" Nooo...they couldn't do that. Before my final tantrum, Cingular Woman insisted, a number of times, that a number of their customers use the Bluetooth phone with their laptops. And how many were on Macintoshes, I asked her. HOW MANY ON MACS!? She "(didn't) know." None!...I bet.
Am I wrong? Please let me know. After all, I don't want to be unfair to irritating and unhelpful phone company customer service people. If you're connecting to the Internet via your computer and a Sony Ericsson T68i, do comment below and let me know. And, if you don't mind, spread this post to Mac/Tech people in the know. There's nothing I despise like paying for something I'm not getting -- and if Cingular is overselling this, let's get the word out, and Blogo-spear them.
--Yours In Consumer Indignation, The Advice Goddess
I have a Sony Ericsson T616 and it works with my Mac as a bluetooth modem, er, it did when a friend hooked it up for me one time, but I haven't been able to do it since. he had a T68i and used it all the time. I guess it's really tricky to set up if you don't know exactly what you are doing, but Cingular is no help on the issue, mac boards are where you need to look for the info.
sean bonner at February 27, 2004 5:17 PM
We did get it to "find" the Bluetooth device -- it appeared (and my iBook appeared) on my phone. And WAP was enabled -- everything was supposedly in place. Making a call, however, was impossible. Did you actually make a call, via modem, or did you just "find" the computer via Bluetooth?
Amy Alkon at February 27, 2004 5:39 PM
How much do you pay for free service? Not much I hope!
Merkin at March 1, 2004 6:23 AM
"Free" nationwide long distance is included in the monthly price I pay for calls -- meaning there's no per-call charge for long distance.
Amy Alkon at March 1, 2004 6:50 AM
Might I suggest
http://homepage.mac.com/jrc/contrib/tzones/
It might not be exactly what you're looking for, but it should be helpful....
Howard at March 1, 2004 12:21 PM
Dear Advice Goddess
I, too, have experienced the joys of personal computing at home.I spent at least three hours with Olympus tech support trying to get my voice recorder to communicate with my Bill Gates Cash Flow Facilitator (aka a PC).Last Hour was with their head guy,Derek.He gave up and told me the engineers would call me back.Apparently their engineers had taken customer support training from the fine officers at the Venice P.D that were assinged to help you recover the Rambler (I personally think they were just trying to do you a favor and help you get a more reliable car).
My brother, fortunatly had taken computer classes and it took him 5 minutes to make it work. You MIGHT just need an expert with macs.Love your coloum, after reading it I just might be persuaded to go on a date with a real live girl someday.(I'M 47).Lots of love,
RICHARD
Richard Younkin at March 1, 2004 9:47 PM
Ugh...my sympathies. These tech support people should be dropped off in the middle of the Alaskan tundra, and forced to get help from their coworkers to get out.
Amy Alkon at March 1, 2004 10:04 PM