Registered: Feb 2000
Location: houston
Posts: 14

Sprint Digital Link questions

I've sent a note to Airprime, but haven't gotten a reply yet. I love the module, but got a laundry list of questions...

1. Wondering when and where updates/patches to SB3000 module might be obtained?

2. Has anyone else seen these issues with the module?

a. Popup menu issue - does not stay open when selecting preferences.
b. Ring tones - don't always play ring tone when selected in prefs.
c. spurious characters - powering on visor with module attached inserts a spurious character in Documents to Go when viewing a text document.
d. vibrate symbol sticky - symbol stays on sometimes even when ring profile switch position changed. Probably a "read" issue.
e. Spurious power on
f. sometimes powers on visor, but without backlight
g. lockup at hangup sometimes or cannot dial out at all.
h. spurious reset or error
i. no ring - miss calls

3. I've also come up with a list of new requirements...

a. Ability to change display format of time or tie to format preferences in Palm OS
b. Call log should log call length, as well.
c. have ability to add ring tones.
d. ability to feed time to palm OS automatically
e. update SMS app for two-way messaging.
f. user ability to put browser and email apps in module memory
g. update address+ with "fast find" feature (like the Treo and newer visors)

4. Will serial to modem connection for "Data" increase from 19,200 bps when 3G upgrade performed? One would hope that with a 144kps connection it wouldn't have to go thru a 19.2k pipe.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

While using the Digital Link for the review, I did experience several of the issues you noted. The ones I didn't experience myself were c) spurious characters (I don't use DTG), d) the vibrate symbol problem, or g) the lockup/no dial out problem. AirPrime is aware of the other issues and told me they would be addressed in an update patch (no release date known at this time).

Your last question about connection speed is a good one that I hadn't thought of myself. I'd like to hear an answer on that as well.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: houston
Posts: 14

I received an email back from Airprime. They want to call me to discuss the issues/comments.

We'll see what they say.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by mbordel
They want to call me

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Tell Randy and Rick I said "hi".

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 5

I am having the same prob Plus others

I purchase a Sprint PCS Digital Links and I am having the following problems:

1. Ring tones - don't always play ring tone when selected in prefs
2. Vibrate symbol sticky - symbol stays on sometimes even when ring profile switch position changed
3. Headphone symbol- symbol stays on even when headphone/Mic is disconnectec.
4. Powers On it own
5. Locks-up and cannot use any of the Phone features even hang-up while on a call.
6. Reset problem
7. Somehow when the Module is in, the Digitizer doesn't respond the way it should. I tap on the right side of the screen and the palm keeps on insiting I am tapping on the left hand. No matter where I tap the PDA keeps on thinking I am tapping on the left side. I take out the Digital Link and the the digitizer works the way it should work.
8. I get missed calls but no rings or vibrate. Just missed call

Has anyone else experienced the Tap issue with the digitizer??

~Ozzie~

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: houston
Posts: 14

I talked with Rick this afternoon. He is the tech support lead for Airprime. Very good conversation. Here's what I got out of the conversation...

1. Wondering when and where updates/patches to SB3000 module might be obtained?

>>> Airprime is working on two flash updates to the module. The first will be out shortly -- it is in beta test right now; it will address issues ring tone menu selection issue (2b) and the ringer notification for calls/messages (2i). The second will be the update for 3G service early this summer; it will also "fix" the power on issue (2e) and the lockup issue (2g). Once the updates have passed beta, they will be released to Sprint. Sprint will decide when and how the updates get distributed.

His comments to the rest of the questions are below.

2. Has anyone else seen these issues with the module?

a. Popup menu issue - does not stay open when selecting preferences.

>>> Palm OS issue. No easy fix for this one. Related to the number of items in the menu.

b. Ring tones - don't always play ring tone when selected in prefs.

>>> In early update. Known problem.

c. spurious characters - powering on visor with module attached inserts a spurious character in Documents to Go when viewing a text document.

>>> They have not seen this one. Of course, they did not test every piece of software. The "key click" sound and this spurious character are related somehow. It produces a "cross" symbol in Text document application of DocstoGo 4.0.

d. vibrate symbol sticky - symbol stays on sometimes even when ring profile switch position changed. Probably a "read" issue.

>>> Not a bug. The symbol is "keyed" off of the "vibrate on/off" selection in the sound preferences.

e. Spurious power on.

>>> Known bug. Somewhat fixed in 3G update this summer. May still occur when on the prism cradle.

f. sometimes powers on visor, but without backlight

>>> This is not a bug. I've been told that the prism display acts like a monitor phospor coating. It has a residual image for a few seconds after the display is turned off.

g. lockup at hangup sometimes or cannot dial out at all.

>>> Known problem. Will be fixed in 3G update this summer.

h. spurious reset or error

>>> Probably a software conflict issue. They have had reports of some "hacks" interfering with the module's operation. He suggested trying reducing the number of apps back down to the minimum, and adding one at a time to find the culprit.

>>> I use a fair amount of apps/hacks on my PDA, supplemented by the memplug module and others. I'm sure I have a software conflict. It only happens once or twice a month, but...

i. no ring - miss calls

>>> To be fixed in early update. Known problem.

3. I've also come up with a list of new requirements...

a. Ability to change display format of time or tie to format preferences in Palm OS.

>>> This is not high on their list of requirements, but he will see what they can do...

b. Call log should log call length, as well.

>>> Not allowed per Sprint requirements.

c. have ability to add ring tones.

>>> Not a Sprint requirement. Only the almighty dollar will rule this one. I suspect that the feature will be added if there is money to be made by it. Just look at some of the other providers who sell ring tones today.

d. ability to feed time to palm OS automatically.

>>> No, per Handspring requirements.

e. update SMS app for two-way messaging.

>>> No, per Sprint's SMS architecture. But, there is a workaround. You can send an "SMS" email by addressing the email note to [email protected]

>>> Of course, they have to be a SprintPCS customer and you need to use an email client.

f. user ability to put browser and email apps in module memory.

>>> No one ever asked for this one. But, since Blazer 2.0 is the SprintPCS default browser application for the PAlm OS phones, they might do it. A definite "Maybe."

g. update address+ with "fast find" feature (like the Treo and newer visors)

>>> Address+ has some "fast find" features, but not to the extent of the Treo's software.

4. Will serial to modem connection for "Data" increase from 19,200 bps when 3G upgrade performed? One would hope that with a 144kps connection it wouldn't have to go thru a 19.2k pipe.

>>> Yes. The current speed spec for "today's network" is 14.4k over the air with a 19.2k connection setting, but that will change with the 3G update.

Lastly, he pointed out a feature that I didn't know was there. You can set custom ring tones for "special" callers. Put the numbers in your quick dial list and set their special ring tone.

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Ozzie21: On the digitizer issue, check to see if you have a software conflict. The impression I got from Rick is that the module is sensitive to some software programs.

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P.S. I asked to be a beta tester.

Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

Any Update?

Has anyone heard any word on the updates from Air Prime? You would have thought the bug fix would have made it out by now.

Thanks