Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

You may have to let your Voice Stream people know that they have a product called DataSteam. Mine didn't know about it and had to call their own information people. They then will activate it(data) separately from voice. Mine(data) was activated one day after Voice was activated.
Set up a MYVoiceStream account on their web site. You can check all the services that you are paying for. You can also check minutes used but so far I can't figure out how they differentiate data from voice. Hopefully, the first bill will be clear.
I sign on and the screen says "SERVICE CONNECTION PROGRESS",
then "connected at 9600", then "signing on negotiating",then "established". The green VisorPhone light blinks rapidly indicating (see VisorPhone users guide" page 4 under "getting started." Good luck.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

Re: ISP part of your question. Either Blazer or Multimail will follow the preferences instruction for getting online. They will use the same isp. Again, I don't know how Voice Stream differentiates services but it's the same isp.For me Worldnet.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 20

jcon,

How often is your Visor phone dropping data calls (if any)? My Phone will connect to my ISP but no data is being transmitted or recieved. Eventually the call gets dropped. This is while I'm inside and the meter reads two bars and under. When out side things seem to run much better.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

I haven't(probably miraculously) (not yet) had the disconnect problem. Unfortunately, the usual recommendations. Handspring tech or your Isp etc. Mybe the time setting somewhere is too short. Otherwise, haven't a clue. If I either have the problem and solve it or hear same, I will post it.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

I signed for the datastream in voicestream, and now I cannot connect to internet, it tells me no carrier, according to voicestream they assigned a second line for the data, and additional software is needed but they dont know, if the there is any software for palm os.
anybody has any idea how this data feature works, and how does the visorphone recognizes this.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 20

Kmendez,

I activated my Data Stream also. This is what I did, and it improved my connectivity. But it is still nothing like the reliability of CDPD.

1. Had them put Datastream on my account. My Connectivity was horrible. Could not connect from my House, inside buildings. Lots of time out errors and no network carrier messages. Most of this would occur with two bars of signal strength. Out side was fine for five to ten minutes, then I would get disconnected.

2. Called my ISP to get specific information for my Preferences/ Network setup. They did not support Palm OS but were able to provide basic information. They gave me a different dial up number and other settings for my E-mail. The different dial up number gave consistent connections. The service connection would be established, but as soon as I would try to download E-mail or surf the web the connection was lost. The phone would still appear to be in a data call but would eventually flash slowly. My guess is that my ISP was bumping my connection due to slow connection speed.

3. I then tried a friends ISP. This improved things quit a bit, longer connection times inside buildings. Still getting bumped off the server periodically. With low signal strength (two bars) no sustainable connection to either ISP could be made.

4. I was concerned that the phone was not drawing from my data minutes. Voicestream stated that they had no way of verifying this. I went to My Voicestream and check out my unpaid usage in account information. This will show usage and features. Data is feature code 5. This made me feel better that they could distinguish the two. Datastream customer support is 1-800-256-9991. It was explained to me by them, that the additional numbers received with the service is used for incoming fax/data and holds no bearing on out going data/voice calls. The difference is maintained/switched by the network.

My data connectivity is spotty at best and not very reliable. In my opinion, this is due to the low bandwidth (9600) of the network and level of reception. For this I am very disappointed. I am not about to try different ISP�s on a trial and error basis to make this work. I am also disappointed with the voice quality of the phone used with and without the headset. Boy is the headset miserable, sounds like a tin can. Hope some of this helps.
Good luck.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

DataStream

KMENDEZ
1. When you say ISP, I assume you are Not talking about Voice Stream but an internet carrier, ie. AT&T Worldnet or EarthLink, etc..
2.My Blazer browzer and MultiMail Pro work great with the same internet dial in numbers I use for Worldnet. I guess that means that Worldnet supports Palm Os wireless. The green light blinks fast, and so far no problems anywhere, all around the Philadelphia area.
3. Voice both sending and hearing are no problem. It even works well where Verizon(local biggest phone co) was terrible.It takes some getting used to but for me given all the integrated features, it's worth it. Ultimately, they'll buff it up.
4. STILL, I am very confused by the My VoiceStream web page account info. Although the services I am paying for look correct, when you go to the "interim bill", the only codes are "7" (VoiceMail retreval) and "4" with NO CHARGE. No "5's". Am I using DataStream minutes? Customer care person was extremely pleasant but hadn't a clu about DataStream.
5. I called the phone number you gave (thanks very much) but not there till Monday.
6. I'll keep you posted.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 20

jcon,

Did you need a response from me or Kmendez?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

ISP's et. al.

jimparson,

Sorry, I meant that question for you.

Thanks,

jcon

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 20

jcon

Yes, I use a small ISP called EV1. They did not support Palm OS. When I tried another small ISP (Texas.net). My connection times grew longer and more reliable.
My phone sounded like a tin can, with and without the headset. I think it was the network down here in Houston

I haven't seen the "interim bill" section, but the section I was looking at was called the "unbilled calls" section under "subscriber summary". It was here that the 5's were showing up along side my ISP calls. This all transpired after, I had DataStream activated. Kmendez had problems even connecting when he subscribed. The quality of my connections seemed to go down also. Who knows what this can be contributed to? If I didn't see any fives in the "feature" column, I would have been suspicious of the calls not drawing from my DataStream minutes. A summary of features can be found on your last bill.

The DataStream support team seem to be much more knowledgeable about the product than the help desk. They even returned my call. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

VoiceSrteam.DataStream

jimparson

Sorry, I meant the note for you.

I will await return call/and or e-mail from the DataStream engineers group to see if they can clear this up: ie: is e-mail/browsing time drawn from DataStream minutes?; there is no code number(5?) on the MyVoiceStream web site un billed section (which I can see) and will it be on the paper bill (which has not come yet)?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: New York City
Posts: 6

Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:

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Originally posted by rpgorelick
I have been using visorphone for over a week now and have had fairly good results (los angeles area). I am reading a lot on various message boards and am still wondering if GSM will hold up as a strong contender in wireless service here in the US in the future. There has been much press about the expansion and merging of various cdma companies but gsm carriers are also taliking about the same. (Pacbell will merge w/several other gsm biggies and become Singular Cellular later this year). Does anyone have any raoming experience with gsm service throughout the US? Is coverage consistant as you travel? I travel a lot and just want to make sure I have made the right choice. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 89

Re: Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:

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Originally posted by kkaran

I am in the new york area and have been trying to get information out of Handspring for quite a while. At first they didn't know. 2 weeks ago they said coverage would be available in 2 weeks. Now they are saying they don't know. I want to buy a visorphone with a plan not only to save money but for support coordination issues. If something goes wrong I don't want one to point to the other and say "it's their problem."

Anyone know of any gsm carriers in the NY area or who are expanding into the NY area? Anyone know of anyone Handspring's progress in sealing a deal? [/B]

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: New York City
Posts: 6

Re: Re: Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:

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Originally posted by The Rambler
VoiceStream is the GSM carrier for the New York Area, you may want to talk to them. As far as I know, the Visor Phone will work on VoiceStreams network you just need to buy a "Smart Card" from VoiceStream and put it in the phone. I beleave that the paging and e-mail features will NOT work only the phone part. The only problem w/ GSM is that they are usally sigle band phones and once you get out of the major cities, you get zero reception. I hope that I pointed you in the right direction. [/B]

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 89

Re: Re: Re: Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:

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Originally posted by kkaran
Thank you for your post. I went to a local VoiceStream representative and they said that their GSM service operates at 1,900 MHz and they would sell me the GSM "chip." The main reason I'm getting the VisorPhone is for e-mail and paging integration. So those features would be a dealbreaker. How would I find this information out before I buy?

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: New York City
Posts: 6

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:

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Originally posted by The Rambler
[QUOTE]Originally posted by kkaran
On Handspring's website they say that they are talking to VoiceStream and hope to add them by the 1st of the year. Sales reps really don't know everything, you may want to go to VoiceStream's Website and go to cusotmer care and e-mail them. Hopefully a Tech will answer you.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 1

ISP question...

Hey all,

I am a new member but I have been reading this forum for about a month in preparation for getting a Visor Phone. I will probably be ordering one in the next few days. My question is, how good/bad is AOL as a service provider? I have an account with my family that I never use unless I am home (I am in law school at Duke and have ethernet), but I am disturbed that you can only use AOL's stuff with their connection and I cannot use Blazer/Eudora/whatever else. My primary concern is that I be able to get to my college e-mail account (I never use my AOL one). Anyone have any input? I'd appreciate it. Thanks. I'll be sure to post my impressions of the module when I get it...

Rhambus

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

Re: ISP question...

quote:

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Originally posted by Rhambus
My question is, how good/bad is AOL as a service provider?

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Editor-in-Chief, Handheld Computing Magazine / www.hhcmag.com