Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 134

Here is the interesting thing...and I haven't had them clarify yet...

They stated they are ceasing operations and that they are going to reorganize and re-launch. Now does that mean that the service is going down? I don't know the answer to that yet.

I am sorry to hear about their problems....because it hurts the whole industry...since this is such a new segment.

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

If YadaYada comes back better and stronger, I wouldn't mind a name change. For such a versatile and powerful business and personal tool, YadaYada always struck me as kind of a silly name (and I am very familiar with the Seinfeld episode). Compare it with OMNISKY!! You can almost picture Moses bellowing it from a mountain top. Now that's powerful stuff.

Ron

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

Well, for a company that's "ceased operations" they ain't doing so bad. I'm posting this wirelessly using their service.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

And the beat goes on...

I just checked the service a few minutes ago and it's still up and running.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 142

News update

I wonder when YY will update their homepage about this news?

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?

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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.

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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?

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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.

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