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-- How many free Digital Links have been activated? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=28721)

How many free Digital Links have been activated?

According to CNET story Sprint PCS has had around one thousand (1000) Digital Link users that purchased it before Handspring started giving them away.

I am curious how many free DLs have been activated so far?

How about a small survey. Let me start...


I am using: Prism

Number of free Digital Link modules: 2

Number of activated DL modules: 0

Comments: Ordered to get free travel chargers. May activate one of DL's under 300 anytime minutes/$30 plus $5 for wireless web if I get more positive feedback on experiences with web access.

Data link use

I switched my wife's existing Sprint account to the Data Link, using her Visor. It actually seems to be a better phone, reception-wise, than her previous Samsung phone, which she broke.

I bought three, and am considering activation for my Prism.

Wish they would upgrade to G3, then I would surely activate second one.


Right now I'm with ATT one rate, and Sprint has no equal.

DL Travel Charger

The travel charger....

What an excellent idea. I got one of the free DL's without any thought as to what I was really going to do with it. I figured get one now and I'll figure it out in the end...and for 8.50 it felt like a good bet...

I didn't think or realize that it has a charger that I can use on my Prism when out of the office...

I have AT&T as well...Sprint just doesn't offer a plan that meets my coverage needs. If they offered a low enought cost plan that I could use the DL with an dprimarily for data, I'd be all set, but I don't see that right now nor expect it in the future.


'nuff said

I just ordered to digital links, one for myself, one for my wife. I figure even if we don't activate the links, we just got two extra/replacement travel chargers for $9.

I do have a couple of questions, if anyone can answer. Is it possible to set up both digital links to use the same phone number (IE, act as the same phone). If we activate, I would really like to only have one account, but have both of us be able to use it.

Second question - with the PCS free and clear plan (without vision) can we still make data calls and use it as a model for the visor?

Third question - I know a lot of sprint phones can be set to allow you to only use the PCS network (since Sprint charges you when you aren't on their network). Do the digital links allow this? I would really prefer to only use the sprint network, and not be charged for roaming calls.

Chris

some answers

cvitek,

first, Go to www.sprintpcs.com and look at plans. Some plans charge you for second phone line (with different nimber), some don't. Appears it is either $20/month, or free, depending on plan. As for two phones on the same line, I don't know.

Second, You can either pay an extra $5.00 per month to use your "anytime" minutes for data, or pay an extra $.40 per minute, if you don't use anytime minutes. The $.40 per minute adds up fast!

Third, Yes, there is a check box for no roam.

Sprint PCS two phones one account

I inquired about this once I got my WWDL. According to a Sprint representative it is possible to share minutes from one plan between two separate phones. I believe the rep told me there would be an additional $20 charge per month to use this service in addition to the obligatory application and hook-up fees.

There is also no way to share one phone number between two phones.

So the charger that comes with the Digital Link can be used to charge the Prism or Pro? If yes, I'm gonna get one of those DLs.

2 DLs activated here

My girlfriend and I both ordered the the free DLs and have both switched our phones over to it. I was on an old Sprint plan so I've now got way more minutes and am saving $10 a month on the new plan so that's great. The wireless net access is completely geeky and too cool for words. Combined with TopGun SSH and my Stowaway keyboard, I can now logon to my servers at work in the event of any trouble. I'm very happy with the switch and plan to keep using the DL until I can afford a Treo.

Activated mine

I ordered one to use with my Visor Prism and Orange Deluxe. So far I'm pleased with the unit. Dealing with Sprint and the PCS website has been rather annoying. Trying to get SMS and Sprint PCS Short Mail working properly is like pulling teeth. According to TreoCentral, Treo 300 users are having the same problem.

What I find interesting is that the Digital Link coulpled with a Visor Prism is essentially a Treo 300 (of course without the integrated form factor). Handspring and Sprint should have had ample time to test SMS with the Digital Link before releasing the Treo 300. It does however appear that Sprint is working on it.

David

Re: Activated mine

quote:

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Originally posted by dtgillis
What I find interesting is that the Digital Link coulpled with a Visor Prism is essentially a Treo 300 (of course without the integrated form factor).

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__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Re: Re: Activated mine

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkEagle
Nor the 3G capabilities...

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Re: Re: Re: Activated mine

quote:

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Originally posted by dtgillis
It could have 3G if there were some ambitious open-source supporters out there with some time on their hands to write some software.

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__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

I've been hoping that since so many more DLs are in the field, that Sprint (or someone else) would go ahead and make that 3G upgrade available anyway. Of course, even if a third party released an upgrade, would Sprint activate DL under a Vision plan, or would they refuse?

And that brings back the original question. Exactly WHY has Handspring decided to give the DLs away? And why is Sprint still charging $250 for them? They have to know that Treo 300 sales would suffer...

I've been reading these posts from people who ordered the Digital Links and are going to use them instead of their cell phones. My advice: Add the DL to your account, but don't replace your phone. At least, don't throw your phone away until you've talked on the DL for a month or two. As a cellphone, the thing is a top-heavy brick with no speakerphone and few easy ways to operate it without using the stylus. It's kind of like eating ice cream with a shovel. It can be done, but I couldn't imagine using it as a daily talker. And you WILL drop it on the floor, eventually...

But as a handheld web surfer, it rocks!

I am using: Visor Pro

Number of free Digital Link modules: 2

Number of activated DL modules: 1

Comments:
Activated one DL's under 300 anytime minutes/$30 plus $10 for "unlimited Vision". Suprisingly enough, I think Sprint is
confused on how what can/can't be done with the DL. In spite
of the Handspring site indicating that the Visor is *not* Vision
compatible, the customer representatives (at least 3 of them
that I talked to) indicate that the DL (they call it the "AirPrime
SpringBoard 3000") can have "Vision" put on it. They added it
to my plan. So far, "My Current Usage" shows both that I have
"unlimited vision" and that I'm still being charged "ca$ual u$age".
Two sprint reps (from dialing "*2") indicated that this problem
will persist until the end of the current billing cycle and that it
will go away at the start of the next billing cycle. They indicated
that I should call them back after the current bill is issued and
get a credit for the "ca$usal u$age". I complained loudly after
the first day of usage and expressed my discomfort about having
to rack up false casual usage charges and have the onus on me
to correct this. As a test and precident, I got them to credit me
for the first day's worth of causal usage: ~2 hrs for ~$50.

12/12/2002: Comments on above paragraph, BEGIN:
+ After 1.5 months of incorrect billing, I called Sprint to resolve
+ this issue one way or another. Once the facts obviously
+ spoke for themselves, they quickly agreed they were wrong
+ about the SB-3000 being compatible with 3G Vision. They
+ credited my account to cover their misinformation and I
+ swithed my plan to $5 extra per month to use my "minutes"
+ for wireless web.
END of above comment.

One Sprint rep mentioned to me that a 2nd phone line with
shared minutes is free (even on the $30/300min plan). I'll
probably go for that plan and combine my phone with my wife's.
If this works as they say it will, I'll get two phones and move
from 250->300 anytime minutes, plus have unlimited web and
unlimited nights/weekends for $5 more than my wife's current
plan. Also, I will have only paid ~$10 shipping for my phone
plus a spare. Each phone also has a plantronics over the ear
headset. The voice quality is good on the other end but I
hear some latent echo on my end. Maybe a better headset
would correct this, but I don't know.

12/12/2002: Comments on above paragraph, BEGIN:
+ The rep was also wrong about the "add a phone" pricing.
+ They corrected the info by saying I can combine two phones
+ and share minutes by paying and extra $20 on a $40/month
+ plan. (Just like their web site said all along.)
END of above comment.

I'd be interested in finding out if anyone has already "added
vision" to a DL. or if I'm the first one trying this approach.
I think maybe Sprint might be put "wireless web" on my DL and calling it "vision" (even though the speed may be slower). If the
only 3G data feature missing is the speed, and the data is
"slow but unlimited", this may be acceptable for my purposes of
getting email web page reading at a reasonable price. Again,
if you have already done this, write a note to this discussion to
put my mind at ease.

12/12/2002: Comments on above paragraph, BEGIN:
+ I'm wondering if Treo users connect to "Network" as a
+ user other than "Web". If so, one of us daring people should
+ try and see if they discriminate Wireless Web and Vision
+ by the generic user name used.
END of above comment.


thanks,
Bob Clancy

__________________
====================================================================
Got Software? Bob Clancy
I can find bugs before your customer does! http://members.verizon.net/~nubble/
====================================================================

quote:

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Originally posted by bclancy
Activated one DL's under 300 anytime minutes/$30 plus $10 for "unlimited Vision". Suprisingly enough, I think Sprint is confused on how what can/can't be done with the DL. In spite of the Handspring site indicating that the Visor is *not* Vision compatible, the customer representatives (at least 3 of them that I talked to) indicate that the DL (they call it the "AirPrime SpringBoard 3000") can have "Vision" put on it. They added it to my plan.

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Hi, according to Sprint, I have 5 phones right now and they all share minutes. Since I got the New Color PCS Vision phone and had to switch to Vision plan they all share minutes but cannot share Wireless Web plan and PCS Vision together. If I choose to use the Wireless Web I will get charged until I get a regular plan. So now I have to keep the other 4 phones on a regular plan so for 5$ I can use the Wireless Web and create a whole new plan for the PCS Vision phone. Ouch what a hassle, I hope the future of PDA/Communicators get easier and nicer. I thing all of the New Handspring Treos need lots of help. They look STUPID when not using a handsfree and you have to flip open to talk, you look like you're holding a Brick considering all other phones are getting smaller and smarter. Everyone know that the Visors with the DL were a brick but hey that's all we had a the time. With today tech, I can't believe that Handspring can't do better, Nokia with they're Communicator is NOT Hot either. They one I am curious about is T-Mobiles Sidekick or something. That is cool except it's not color yet and it uses it's own OS.

Great Brown North Digital Link Activation

Will be attempting to activate a DL with Bell Mobility shortly. The angry lady at Canada Customs took 3 days to wrap her brain around the concept of calculating value-added tax on a $0 item. Be interesting to see what they end up charging me when it arrives.

DL questions

MarkEagle wrote that he wouldn't want to use his 'VDx' as a phone. What is a 'VDx'? I'm disappointed to hear that, because the MAIN reason I want the DL is to converge two devices into one.

Also, what, if any, headset/handsfree kit comes with the DL? Does the DL use a 2.5mm jack for this?

Thanks

JaguarDawg wrote:
] MarkEagle wrote that he wouldn't want to use his 'VDx' as a
] phone. What is a 'VDx'? ...
VDx is short for "Visor Deluxe".

] ... I'm disappointed to hear that, because
] the MAIN reason I want the DL is to converge two devices into
] one.
I use a Visor Pro with the WWDL and I find the voice quality to be acceptable. Some of the older models of Visors may not work as well. Also, many people like the smaller size and greater durability of a real phone, and fear if they drop their less durable PDA/phone and the screen breaks, they are without two important devices at the same time. The WWDL makes the Visor even more bulky. Nonetheless, if you are willing to live with the limitations, or feel that the positives outweigh them, spring for the price of shipping and try one out! Go back and read my post in this thread describing my experience so far. If you can live with the limitations, this device is pretty cool and has a very cheap entry price!

] Also, what, if any, headset/handsfree kit comes with the DL?
] Does the DL use a 2.5mm jack for this?
It comes with a cheap plantronics "over the ear" headset that has a boom which I think is too short but that works well most of the time and seems well matched for the WWDL. The headset uses a 2.5 mm jack which is on the top/center of the WWDL. However, the headset may not work well with other phones (such as my VTech cordless at home) because it does not have an adjustable volume control. Still, the price is right and the headset works well with my WWDL and Visor Pro.

--
Bob

__________________
====================================================================
Got Software? Bob Clancy
I can find bugs before your customer does! http://members.verizon.net/~nubble/
====================================================================

Re: DL questions

quote:

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Originally posted by JaguarDawg
MarkEagle wrote that he wouldn't want to use his 'VDx' as a phone. What is a 'VDx'? I'm disappointed to hear that, because the MAIN reason I want the DL is to converge two devices into one.

Also, what, if any, headset/handsfree kit comes with the DL? Does the DL use a 2.5mm jack for this?

Thanks

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