Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

quote:

---

Originally posted by VTL
I'm surprised to hear the modem won't work with another service. Couldn't Omnisky (or whomever) just put out a flash updater that wipes the modem's YadaYada settings and installs whatever they use?

---

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

I just got off the phone with an Omnisky tech, who reported that there is no reason why the Omnisky flash updater shouldn't render the Yadayada modem compatible with their service. HOWEVER, he also cautioned that if one is concerned about the modem's warranty (allowing for the possibility that, for some reason, Omnisky's flash updater could hose the modem), one should contact Novatel before reflashing to see if switching over would void the warranty on the hardware.

Frankly, if you don't try to switch, you're hosed anyway, so I would go with the flash update.

I hope this helps.

Last edited by ragamuffinn on 04-13-2001 at 03:05 PM

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Posts: 162

I got my Minstrel free by signing up for a year's service, as did a lot of other VC members. Since it's only been about 4 months, if YadaYada cuts service and doesn't allow me to finish my year's agreement, is there a chance they would want the modem back? I'm sure it's somewhere in the fine print of the agreement, but I didn't read it.

Maybe they have a prorating system where we would have to pay the balance (depending on how much time is left in the year's service) in order to keep the modem.

Regardless, I don't think I can do without my wireless service now that I have a taste for it.

Ron

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 137

Wouldn't it be interesting if Handspring took over YadaYada?
HS would be able to develop an awesome wireless network for all HS users.....similar to Palm.net.

Just a thought.

__________________
Million Dollar Bills, anyone?

<a href="http://www.millionbill.com">www.MillionBill.com</a>

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

To respond to Rtalin's question:

I'm in the same boat, and I very much doubt we'd have to give the modem back. I haven't read the fine print, so I could be wrong. But off the top of my head, if YadaYada does completely pitch its tent (and I'm not sure that's going to happen - again, the service was up last night, and according to another post it's up this morning), then they are the party in breach of the agreement.

I signed up for a free modem and a year's worth of service at a fixed monthly price. At the end of that year, I get to keep the modem free and clear, and continue with them or sign up with someone else.

I am willing and able to perform my end of the bargain. If they aren't that's their problem. I would mitigate my damages by retaining the free modem and signing up for service with an alternative provider, i.e. Omnisky or GoAmerica. In some ways, I'd almost prefer that outcome - I think Omnisky may have better service anyway, although I'm not really down on YadaYada - after some initial problems, it works fairly well for me.

In other words, they can pry my Minstrel out of my cold dead hands.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 95

No dice using a Minstrel S from Yada Yada With Omnisky. I sent them an email asking them if it was possible� and here is there reply.

Thank you for your message.

At the moment, due to hardware considerations with the modem, we cannot
offer service to a MinstrelS from another provider. The modem comes
preloaded with the software for YadaYada, and we do not have a reliable
way to have customers reload our software on to the onboard memory.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (800)
860-5767 or online at www.OmniSky.com.

Thank you,
Neil
OmniSky Support

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brooklyn
No dice using a Minstrel S from Yada Yada With Omnisky. I sent them an email asking them if it was possible� and here is there reply.

Thank you for your message.

At the moment, due to hardware considerations with the modem, we cannot
offer service to a MinstrelS from another provider. The modem comes
preloaded with the software for YadaYada, and we do not have a reliable
way to have customers reload our software on to the onboard memory.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (800)
860-5767 or online at www.OmniSky.com.

Thank you,
Neil
OmniSky Support

---

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 276

I don't understand why people are just going to the provider, AT&T and Verizon?

__________________
what?<br>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

I don't see why people don't just chill out and wait to see what happens. I anticipate that no one will be asking for my modem, that I will continue to be charged, and that the service will continue as normal. Until one or two of those things change (I don't mind if they stop charging me :-), I'm not worryin' 'bout it.

Service is still working just fine btw.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 276

*chilled out* until you give me notice.

Alright, maybe not... hear me out. How many companies do you know or are aware of that has tried to restructure (at least recently) and succeeded? I am not saying it is impossible or that maybe a company hasn't done it... but it's not the mainstream occurence these days.


So, I am a bit pessimistic thinking this company can get back on its feet strong. Here's why... I am a Northpoint victim (I worked from home via VPN, now I have to travel 40 miles at the client's site, one of my clients is Audi who in turn used marchFIRST for service and they declared bankrupcy today. I can go on and on in regards to how my life is affected by these companies building dreams and making our lives so much easier and then making bad decisions and stunting the industries growth. It sucks. It just flat out sucks.

But, as for YY... this company is not as reputable as Omnisky. I just wonder why they gave away free modems if they weren't rock solid.

At least look here... the company charges 39 bucks a month for a 24 dollar service. So, we have profits coming in every month. I wish them all the luck and I will remain a YY customer until the day the green light remains blinking. When that day happens, I have Ameritech or Verizon that I will call immediately and price out. I am not really concerned with roaming charges since I usually remain in Chicago or in Europe (Germany) so it's either hit or miss.

__________________
what?<br>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

Yup. I agree. Who knowz what'll happen. I'm pretty sure they'll keep charging us though... and if so, I expect to still be able to connect. I couldn't give two hoots for YY website, portal or otherwise. I don't even use the apps. I am blazer and Eudora Mail and Web all the way.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Cascade, MD
Posts: 74

I like YY and would miss it very much if it went. I certainly hope they clarify the situation for us because, as I see it, people will start to jump ship "just in case" when things are so uncertain and they could lose many customers, which they cannot afford.

I plan to stay with YY and hope they pull it together, but it would be good customer relations if they would email their subcribers or at least post something useful and informative on their site.

__________________
Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

My guess is that even if YY goes belly-up, one of the other providers (Omnisky, GoAmerica) steps in to buy them out to get at their customer base. YY did not (best I can tell) underprice the competition, unless you count the free modem - which is a sunk cost at this point. Assuming the Minstrel can be flash upgraded, someone could come in and take over the contracts and make a profit on the deal.

In other words, I'm not going to sweat it. If YY stays up and running, great. If not, we all will have other options.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 175

YY <> Omnisky

There's one thing that everyone who talks about switching to Omnisky or having their Minstrel flashed seems to forget - Omnisky's software requires OS 3.5. So all the Deluxe users, who largely went with YadaYada for this very reason, couldn't do it.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 134

An Update

I got an email from Yada that somewhat clarified things. From what I understand, the actual corporation was ceasing operations as of this past Friday. The service will wink out...but over a period of several weeks...that wasn't very clear. However it does seem that you should at least start making arrangements to find another carrier. I suggest some of you call them to clarify when your service will end and what your options are.

I'll keep trying to bring all of you some answers and hopefully some closure.

__________________
I saw that everyone else had a signature and I felt left out, so here is mine.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

I am curious what will happen to those of us who did sign up with Yada Yada with our Deluxes for a 6/12 month deal. If the contract's time is still in effect, but YadaYada goes under, then what happens to the contract? I'm not sure how that would be handled- generally someone steps in and buys the interests to the company if it goes under.

Imaging buying a car and having the bank who the loan is through go under. Surely you wouldn't get to keep the car for free- there is debt there and someone will buy the paper.

In our case, when the company liquidates its assets, those contracts we've signed are also included. If someone buys those contracts for the leftover amounts that we individually owe on the service/modem, it's possible that we'll need to start sending checks to another company who may or may not even be required to give actual service at all.

I'm sure someone will come up and buy the service though. There's too many of us out here to be orphaned this way. As we've seen, PQA's are not necessary for the modems to operate and Omnisky could easily brand a service for Deluxe owners without any trouble.

__________________
Green Vdx
The Mountain Dew of PDA's.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 137

What are our options to continue our service?

Besides Omnisky, are there any other carriers that can continue our Yada Yada service?

Like...AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.

Hopefully, YY will be making some kind of arrangements for us. But if they don't we'll need to know where we can go.

__________________
Million Dollar Bills, anyone?

<a href="http://www.millionbill.com">www.MillionBill.com</a>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Tampa, Fl
Posts: 1

Why aren't I surprised? I am in Tampa where, apparently it was impossible to sign on. I tried for over a month and got on only two or three times. When I called to complain it was to deaf ears. Finally after arguing they told me to send back the unit and they would stop charging my credit card for the monthlies. That has not stopped yet but I have made my card company aware of the situation and I am simply refusing to pay. It basically boiled down to there saying to me what their company name and motto is: :Yada Yada, just like Seinfeld. I hope you are as lucky as me

__________________
MXKing

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 142

CDDP service

Ok! Let's assume that YY goes out of biz and leaves us high & dry. I know that AT&T and Verizon do offer CDDP service, could any one spell out what are the necessary steps to sign up with either providers to use their service?

When it comes to wireless, I am still in a fog

Thank you,

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 95

Not surprising � No one at Verizon or AT&T knows anything about the Minstrel S. I�ve sent emails and made phone calls, and not one at these companies seems to know what a Wireless Minstrel modem for a Palm Handheld Computer is. They would just tell me the only CDPD wireless service they offer is by using one of their phones with a laptop. Has anyone gotten through to a Knowledgeable AT&T or Verizon Representative?