Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Edgewater, MD
Posts: 41

The YY rep I just talked to says the Minstrel S won't work with 3.1. He says it's got nothing to do with RF interference, it's strictly the OS.

This seems to be a different issue than the 'RF interference' issue that HS has the FAQ about (which someone posted on VC a few days ago).

What are your opinions?

I really want one of these things and I'm totally frustrated with all the things I _can't_ do with my VDx. It's 10 months old and it's obsolete.

Jay

__________________
Jay
Building a Boat & a Dream
http://www.adventuregrrl.com

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Edgewater, MD
Posts: 41

Okay, so I called HS just to see what they had to say. The CS guy talked to a product support guy, who said that the modem _should_ work.

But the advance exchange program is currently only available to those who have purchased their Minstrel S from Glenayre or the Novatel. If you buy from YadaYada, you're out of luck (at this point in time).

BTW, the CS guy at HS didn't have a clue about what I was talking about. Didn't know what a Minstrel S was, didn't know about the advance exchange program, didn't know diddly.

The most cost-effective way to get wireless, it seems, is to buy a Prism and take advantage of Omnisky's rebates offers. I'm just worried that they won't live up to their promises, based on the concerns of a previous poster who is already a (dissatisfied) Omnisky customer.

That way, you get color and wireless connectivity for a total of $450 -- but there is that uncomfortable 6-month float before Omnisky rebates my $200. So it's an upfront cost of $750 -- pretty hefty.

What do other people think? Any _happy_ Omnisky customers out there?

Jay

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Jay
Building a Boat & a Dream
http://www.adventuregrrl.com

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

I have a YY Minstrel S

I got my Minstrel S on Saturday and I have a VDX. I works need the cell sites fine. But once you are about 1 mile from the site, you will get nothing.

I called Handspring and they are going to replace my VDX 3.1 for a OS 3.5. I called the Customer Support Center and gave them my info and credit card number. I should have it tomorrow.

Mike

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 11

Omnisky

I've had Omnisky since January with a Palm Vx -- I was a beta tester for their service. All in all, I'd say they're pretty darn good. I recognize that people get upset, largely because they expect -- rightfully -- that new electronic products should work like their TVs and telephones. That is, pretty much flawlessly.

But sometimes such "bleeding edge" technology just doesn't work properly, and that causes big frustrations for some people: inside a big building (sometimes even a not so big building); e-mail downloads act a little weird occasionally; notification lights never seem to work quite right; and sometimes, for no known reason, you just can't connect no matter where you are. Tech support is often clueless, if affably so, and, of course, 19.2 throughput (which you never actually get, anyway) seems awfully slow if you have a T1 at work.

That said, 90%+ of the time it DOES work (as long as you're in a CDPD service area). If you can't connect, you wait five minutes and try again. Once you are connected, you usually CAN get (and respond to) your e-mails in just a few moments -- and if you buy a copy of MultiMail you can even read your attachments!! Using ProxiWeb or EudoraWeb you can surf to most web sites while sitting in a meeting or in a park or in a taxicab or even in a restroom -- and, frankly, I think that's pretty amazing!! And, of course, you can buy movie tickets; check stock prices; sports scores; your bank account and the weather using Palm VII's PQAs. And how many companies have top-notch technical support, anyway?

Is Yada Yada better? I'd love to know. But Omnisky, despite its flaws, has a package that works really well and I look forward to getting the service for my new Prism so I can now see things in color.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Edgewater, MD
Posts: 41

Re: I have a YY Minstrel S

quote:

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Originally posted by kyakboy
I got my Minstrel S on Saturday and I have a VDX....

I called Handspring and they are going to replace my VDX 3.1 for a OS 3.5.

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Jay
Building a Boat & a Dream
http://www.adventuregrrl.com

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

YAdaYada

Jay, I got mine from Staples. And the service is thru YadaYada.

Mike

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Huh?

Huh? Handspring is upgrading the Visor Deluxes from OS 3.1 to OS 3.5? Since when? Let us know if you really get a Visor Deluxe that is OS 3.5. I think you might have been lied to.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: Huh?

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
Huh? Handspring is upgrading the Visor Deluxes from OS 3.1 to OS 3.5? Since when? Let us know if you really get a Visor Deluxe that is OS 3.5. I think you might have been lied to.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

VDX Exchange

I will let you guys know when it comes in. They , HS, said it would be in today or Wed. But there is an exchange program depending on where you bought it from. But I don't have the details on that.

Mike

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

Got my new VDX

For those of you who doubted that I would get the new VDX from Handsrping, SURPRISE. Got it yesterday and the Minstrel now works great. Absolutely no signal problems, great reception, and quick downloads (then again, I have great Verizon service where I live). If any one wants me to try something on my Minstrel before they buy theirs let me know.

Mike

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

And the version of the Palm OS is??

What version of the Palm OS is the "exchange" VDX running?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: And the version of the Palm OS is??

quote:

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Originally posted by yucca
What version of the Palm OS is the "exchange" VDX running?

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

On my VDX it is not 3.3 or 3.5 that we hoped. It is 3.1H2 It may be a quick fix, but it works.

Mike

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca
Posts: 302

Re: Got my new VDX

quote:

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Originally posted by kyakboy
...Absolutely no signal problems, great reception, and quick downloads (then again, I have great Verizon service where I live). If any one wants me to try something on my Minstrel before they buy theirs let me know.

Mike

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__________________
Bret Snyder<BR>If you don't know where you're going,<BR>You'll probably end up somewhere else.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

YadaYada *now* says...

Two minutes ago a Customer Service Professional just told me that Handspring will give me a coupon for $100 off a new Visor (presumably Platinum or Prism) and NOT replace the OS. I wish they'd make up their minds.

It's ridiculous to think that I'd have to upgrade my PDA to use a "Plug and Play" springboard.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

Bret,

It is a wireless web modem. I don't this I can "dial" into a RAS system unless there is a doorway from the Web. At least that is what my MIS guy told me.

Mike

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

What wireless service are you using?

By the way, my handspring is 3.1H3M without the exchange. What is going on with yours being 3.1H2?

Thanks

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

More Information

A sales rep for Novatel return my call. In modems sold by them, they have included a coupon to exchange your DX Visor to add a shield. You do not need an Upgraded OS to use the modem. To connect, all you need is the modem, a web brower and the palm network connection (in pref.). In other words, you don't need any special software to use the modem. You can also purchase service direct from the service providers for a cheaper rate. YadaYada and Omnisky are middle man that give you a rebate and add a little to the monthly cost.

The novatel sales rep had some great information and sounded a little upset that YadaYada was telling people the modem would not work without an OS upgrade. Bottomline: YadaYada software needs the upgrade not the modem.

Your thoughts.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

Re: More Information

quote:

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Originally posted by readable
The novatel sales rep had some great information and sounded a little upset that YadaYada was telling people the modem would not work without an OS upgrade. Bottomline: YadaYada software needs the upgrade not the modem.

Your thoughts.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca
Posts: 302

Re: More Information

quote:

---

Originally posted by readable
The novatel sales rep had some great information and sounded a little upset that YadaYada was telling people the modem would not work without an OS upgrade. Bottomline: YadaYada software needs the upgrade not the modem.

Your thoughts.

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__________________
Bret Snyder<BR>If you don't know where you're going,<BR>You'll probably end up somewhere else.