My Digital Life

CallWave's new business model

I have been using CallWave on my Windows Mobile device since 2007 and it was a great free addition for voice mail.  It allowed me to receive voice mail via email and the voice to text recognition worked well enough to determine voice mail content. I also loved the Vista gadget which allowed you to play voice mails on your PC. I knew it could not last but now with my AT&T Visual Voice Mail on my iPhone I can't justify paying for CallWave....

 

 

Upgrade now... And never miss a call again. Yesterday we notified you that your Voicemail-to-Text service would be discontinued today. We apologize that this may have caused you some concern, and realize that this is not a sufficient amount of time for you to make a change to your account. Therefore, we have extended the upgrade period to Monday, September 22nd. We also want to explain that if you choose not to upgrade, only the transcribed message feature in your service will change. You will still be able to access all of your voicemail through your existing account. Visual voicemail and your Message Center will continue to be accessible. However, you will no longer receive transcribed voicemail messages. We appreciate your continued support, and look forward to providing you with high quality communication solutions. Sincerely, The CallWave Team (1) To upgrade to the high quality Voicemail-To-Text service, please follow these instructions: a) Log in to Callwave.com b) Visit the Account page c) Select "Change Service" d) Choose a package Note: Select the $4.95/month BASIC package and turn on Vtxt transcription for only the contacts you choose. Or select the PRO package for $14.95/month and receive 40 Vtxt per month. (2) If you do not wish to upgrade your service, and no longer wish to use the other features in Voicemail-to-Text, please follow the instructions below to stop voicemail "forwarding" to CallWave. a) Please find your deactivation code(s) in the table below. b) Dial the code(s) as you would a phone number c) Press "Send" on your phone to dial that number. d) Repeat steps b) and c) if there are multiple codes for your carrier Wireless Carrier or Network Deactivation Codes AT&T Cingular, T-Mobile, GSM network ##004# Verizon, CDMA network *73 *900 *920 TDMA Network *740 *730 Bluegrass, Midwest Wireless *900 *920 Cellcom *680 Cincinnati Bell ##004# Midwest Wireless *90## *92## US Cellular *740

This email was sent by: CallWave 136 W. Canon Perdido St. Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, USA

Ramblings for the week of May 26th in My Digital Life

Last week I signed up for the T-Mobile Family 4-Pack promotion and so far I think it will work out very nicely. Here is a summary of my observations:

• The selected 5 My Faves numbers are tied to the phone and not the account. The bottom line is that you can't share My Faves number across your Family plan (too bad).
• Once the My Faves numbers have been validated by the phone's My Faves application, you can swap your SIM card into a phone which does not have the My Faves application (like the iPhone). Your calls  to your My Faves numbers still count in you My Faves unlimited bucket.
• You can only modify My Faves numbers once a month. The message I received was that I could change them on June 1.

All in all this looks to be an excellent promotion...

With the official release of Windows Mobile 6.1 from HTC Europe for the TyTn II, I decided to take the plunge and upgrade my AT&T Tilt this last weekend. After backing up my unit with Sunnysoft's Backup Manager, I decided to try Dutty's 6.1 test ROM from xda-developers. I was unable to restore my backup and the ROM had several issues, the most troublesome was that I could not get the GPS to work. I decided to try the official release of the HTC ROM, I had to download it via MoDaCo, since HTC won't allow the download to a non HTC branded device. At this point I decided not bother restoring and I installed all my applications from scratch. I will have to update my Windows Mobile application list with my current configuration. All seems to be working well, GPS included...

I received my Fujitsu U810 and so far I am very impressed with its build quality. It is not the fastest machine (it gets a 2.1 Vista processor score), but I think it works quite well for web, email and text processing. The tablet functionality works very well (this one area where Vista shines). The size and weight  are just about perfect for my shoulder bag. I will be traveling soon and will report back on how useful this little machine will be.

This week:

• Working on a review of CellPoint's Flamingo Music earphones.
• Update my Windows Mobile application list

Ramblings for the week of May 19th in My Digital Life

Back in February I ranted about T-Mobile's lack of news and direction (link), however as comments pointed out they are tough to beat from a value perspective. This month they have again upped the ante on value with a special promotion through June 24 called the Family 4-Pack (link from tmonews.com). The Family 4-Pack adds:

• Unlimited HotSpot@Home
• Unlimited calling to each family members 5 favorite poeple
• Unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile
• Unlimited Nights and Weekend

All of this for $9.99 per month in addition to your base Family plan charge and since it is an option, it has no contractual commitment. I was paying $19.99 for the HotSpot@Home option, replacing it with the Family 4-Pack saves me $10 per month. Since I have 5 phones on our Family plan we can call up to 25 My Faves numbers for free (5 per phone which can be shared). In order to get this promotion T-Mobile checks to make sure that all of your phones are compatible with My Faves, they do not care so much if they are HotSpot@Home compatible. It was interesting to find out that they knew I had connected with my iPhone, Wing, and currently HTC Kaiser (aka AT&T Tilt). They were concerned that the HTC Kaiser did not have the My Faves application. I tried to explain that I could install the My Faves application on the Kaiser but they did not think it would work so I told them I would use the Wing. I downloaded the My Faves application from xda-developers (link), installed it and it works just fine. I have been wondering how My Faves works, at first I thought the software on the phone added a code to the number called, but I am thinking that it is the billing system that handles the matching of numbers so you do not get charged. The only function the software on the phone seems to do is activate the number in your account profile by sending SMS messages. Without the software on the phone the number does not get validated and it is not active as a My Faves number. I am assuming it only does this once when you initially enter or modify the number. I will have to test my theory with my iPhone. If I make a call to one of the activated My Faves number on the iPhone, it should show up as a V call (My Faves) in my account on the T-Mobile web site. Obviously I can't add or modify My Faves numbers with the iPhone since it has no application to validate the number. Maybe someone will write one...Bottom line, I think this is a great promotion and it will keep me as a T-Mobile customer. I am now just waiting for 3G. Also it seems you can only modify a My Faves number once a month which makes sense, since if you could change the numbers at will, the plan could be viewed as totally unlimited...

I have decided to try a UMPC this month, the Fujitsu U810 to see how it might fit in with my travel gadgets. It is a Tablet PC with Vista that has a 5.6" screen and weighs 1.56lbs. This would definitely solve my photo sharing dilemma since I could easily transfer files from my camera and upload them to the Kodak Gallery for sharing. Costco is currently selling the 40GB model with Vista Home for $849 and adds 1 year to the base 1 year warranty for free. It will be interesting to see how useful this UMPC is.

This week:

• My review of SBSH Mobile Software Facade application for pocketnow.com. should be published this week. This is a smartphone (Windows Mobile Standard) today screen replacement.
• Finishing on a review of SBSH Mobile Software Pocket Weather.
• Working on a review of CellPoint's Flamingo Music earphones.
• Update my Windows Mobile application list

My Windows Mobile application list as of March 12th

Since my last update I decided to use the GeeksToolbox.com SiriusWM5  application to listen to the Sirius (see my post). I also upgraded Spb Mobile Shell to version 2.0 (see my post).

I have not yet made the move to WM 6.1 although Dutty has a ROM on xda-developers, but it is on my to do list. Still love the Kaiser (AT&T Tilt), although I am using the Verizon SMT5800 with Windows Mobile standard as a secondary device. I will probably come up with a list of software I use on that phone...

duttythroy has a great library of application cabs here.

Device Information:

• PPC Model: Kaiser (AT&T Tilt version)
• OS ROM version: CE OS 5.2.1933 (Build 18533.dutty's) V3 Dutty's DualTouch ROM
• Radio ROM version: 1.27.15.32 download discussion thread
• Carrier: T-Mobile USA

Additions:

• GeeksToolbox.com SiriusWM5 (free)

Upgrades:

• Spb Mobile Shell version 2.0

Replacements/Removal:

• Back Country Navigator  version 2.3.3 (I don't use it enough)
• Holux's GPS Viewer 1.5 (similar although less powerful application GPS Test 1.04 built in to ROM)

Is not stable with Windows Mobile 6:

• SWC Ltd - MultiIE version v4.0-d72

Need to Try:

• Stowaway Keyboard and Mouse drivers version 4.51
• Fizz Software Ltd Fizz Weather version 2.4

In Storage Memory:

• Spb Mobile Shell version 2.0
• PhatWare Calligrapher version 8.5
• JetWare Bluetooth HFP Extensions version 1.31
• WebIS Pocket Informant 2007 revision 4
• SBSH.net PocketBreeze version 5.3
• Windows Live Search version 2.5.2908.31943 (I love the speak feature)
• WebIS VoiceMinder version 1.6
• Omega One 1-Calc version 2.3.1
• PhatWare Phatpad version 4.4
• Ilium Software eWallet version 6
• Ilium Software Newsbreak version 2.0
• Zagat To Go Version 6
• Developer One ScreenSnap version 6.1
• Gougelet PE XnView Pocket version 1.35
• Sunnysoft's Backup Manager 4002 (review here)
• SlingPlayer Mobile version 1.5.098
• Tilt Keyboard fix
• Developer One ScreenSnap version 6.1
• T-Mobile HotSpot login utility version 2.0
• United Airlines Pocketfly timetable
• Six Apart Typepad application version 1.01
• GeeksToolbox.com SiriusWM5 (free)

In ROM Memory (Dutty's ROM):

• C. Ghisler & Co. Total Commander version 2.5 Beta 3
• BatteryStatus version 1.04.203 Beta4 Build 0253 (no overclocking with the Kaiser)
• AdvancedConfig version 1.1

On 2GB Mini SD card:

For the moment I have no need to install application on the SD card...

My rant of the day - What is happening with T-Mobile!

I have been a T-Mobile customer since the Voicestream days. I embraced GSM technology early because it was available in more places worldwide than anything else. These days this is still true, however after making some leaps forwards with coverage and technology, T-Mobile seems to be losing technological and marketing ground to AT&T at such pace that I am seriously considering switching.

On the technology side:

• The lack of 3G is starting to impact my use of T-Mobile . While AT&T just announced another major upgrade to its 3G network, T-Mobile is still using EDGE with no word or date for 3G. I end up having to use a Verizon EVDO card for data access on my laptop. If I was using AT&T I could tether my phone to the laptop; no need for the extra card and service.
• There have not released a new business class Windows Mobile phone since the Wing. The Wing is a very nice device but in over 6 months T-Mobile has failed to fix the memory leak. You must resort to hacking in order to make the device really usable. I am now using an AT&T Tilt on the T-Mobile network, unfortunately I can't use 3G.
• The HotSpot@Home service is a great addition, however the available phones are lackluster. They released the Blackberry Curve with HotSpot@Home capability but where is the Windows Mobile device with that support. The technology is good but it is not 100% stable, my wife gets frequent disconnects (1-2 times a day) during conversations making it very frustrating to use. I don't seem to have the problem but I don't use it as much since it does not work with Windows Mobile.

On the marketing side:

• T-Mobile has lost Starbucks locations for their HotSpot service to AT&T (press release). T-Mobile HotSpot is effectively loosing 7,000 locations. T-Mobile's website (link) mentions 8,888 locations. If you subtract the 7,000 Starbucks locations, that leave 1,888 locations. With Starbucks AT&T WIFI locations jump to 17,000. Does this mean the end of the T-Mobile HotSpot service? One of the innovative features on T-Mobile HotSpot service, was the ability to use you HotSpot@Home phone for free, now that will be gone as well.
• They have not released a powerful or exciting phone for a while now, and they have nothing that comes close to the pizazz of the iPhone. The Blackberry Curve has nothing technologically advanced about it and the Shadow is not very exciting.

They seem have lost their way and are standing still. That is sad, because I always viewed them as the up and coming underdog deploying new technology in step with competitors. At one point they were even better on price, but looking at the AT&T plan offerings it looks like AT&T is matching them. They are loosing the differentiation battle in a big way, the only thing that is holding me back is the dreaded contract. If T-Mobile does not have anything new and exciting by the time my contract is up, I will be forced to look elsewhere for my cellular service...

Update 2/13/08: T-Mobile released a statement yesterday that they had signed a five year roaming agreement with AT&T. This will allow T-Mobile HotSpot customers to roam on AT&T WIFI network in Starbucks owned outlets at no extra charge.

What happened to JETware?

JETware Hands-free Bluetooth extension for Windows Mobile has been an invaluable piece of software to synchronize my device with my BMW in car ULF Bluetooth system. It allows me to synchronize my address book by category, view text and email headers on my navigation screen, display caller id information, and provide the appropriate status information for no signal and roaming. The software license is locked to your IMEI. I have been using it since my T-Mobile MDA and have switched phones several times. Each time I would send an email to support with my new IMEI and within 7 days I would receive a new activation code. In December I did the same for my new Tilt, however I never received a response. JETware did create an automated system to switch IMEI but for some reason I am not in the system (probably because I was an early adopter) and since support won't answer I am stuck. Watching the JETware forums, it seems I am not the only one having support issues ignored. What happened to the developer? He was offering a great application at a very reasonable price, maybe he was not making enough to invest the time required to properly support the product, just a hunch since selling Windows Mobile software is a tough and not necessarily a money making business. If that is the case he should say so and maybe offer his software to the open source community (xda-developers) so everyone can benefit.

My 30 day trial is now up and I to continue using it I have to purchase another license. In the end I don't have that big of a problem spending $14.95 (I need it), however that was not the deal when I originally purchased the product. I think JETware owes users an explanation of what happened. If anyone knows please comment.

My Windows Mobile application list as of January 30th

As I reported on Monday, I flashed the radio ROM on my Tilt with 1.27.15.32 off of the newly released HTC ROM. This radio ROM seems to provide noticeably better GSM signal strength. The downside is slow GPS acquisition time, but that is OK given the improvement with the GSM reception. One other note about the GPS, if you cannot acquire your position, such as inside a building rebooting seems to be the only solution to get it going again when you step outside.

Dutty released V4 of his custom ROM and I may update this weekend. Since I don't have any major issues with V3, I am not chomping at the bit to upgrade. Dutty is working on a WM 6.1 upgrade, I may just wait for that.

Since I now have Sirius in my BMW, I have gotten use to listening to their programming from BBC One to Classic Vinyl and with the included streaming service I can listen using my PC, however now I am turning my attention to listening to Sirius on my Tilt. I found three solutions which I am testing:

• Emulamer's SiriusCE (free)
• SelectRadio ($25USD)
• GeeksToolbox.com SiriusWM5 (free)

I will report back on my choice later.

I just updated Zagat To Go to version 6. The OTA download at m.zagat.com is temporarily unavailable, but I downloaded it from the Handmark website. This update should provide a better solution for dialing the establishments directly from Zagat To Go.

It is clear that the Bluetooth headset volume is an issue with the Tilt and you need to use a headset which has some amplification capability such as my Blueant V12. I am satisfied with the volume, although I have it set to 10. I have not tried it in a very noisy environment.

duttythroy has a great library of application cabs here.

Device Information:

• PPC Model: Kaiser (AT&T Tilt version)
• OS ROM version: CE OS 5.2.1933 (Build 18533.dutty's) V3 Dutty's DualTouch ROM
• Radio ROM version: 1.27.15.32 download discussion thread
• Carrier: T-Mobile USA

Additions:

Upgrades:

• Zagat To Go Version 6

Replacements/Removal:

• Back Country Navigator  version 2.3.3 (I don't use it enough)
• Holux's GPS Viewer 1.5 (similar although less powerful application GPS Test 1.04 built in to ROM)

Is not stable with Windows Mobile 6:

• SWC Ltd - MultiIE version v4.0-d72

Need to Try:

• Stowaway Keyboard and Mouse drivers version 4.51
• Fizz Software Ltd Fizz Weather version 2.4

In Storage Memory:

• Spb Mobile Shell version 1.5
• PhatWare Calligrapher version 8.5
• JetWare Bluetooth HFP Extensions version 1.31
• WebIS Pocket Informant 2007 revision 4
• SBSH.net PocketBreeze version 5.3
• Windows Live Search version 2.5.2908.31943 (I love the speak feature)
• WebIS VoiceMinder version 1.6
• Omega One 1-Calc version 2.3.1
• PhatWare Phatpad version 4.4
• Ilium Software eWallet version 6
• Ilium Software Newsbreak version 2.0
• Zagat To Go Version 6
• Developer One ScreenSnap version 6.1
• Gougelet PE XnView Pocket version 1.35
• Sunnysoft's Backup Manager 4002 (review here)
• SlingPlayer Mobile version 1.5.098
• Tilt Keyboard fix
• Developer One ScreenSnap version 6.1
• T-Mobile HotSpot login utility version 2.0
• United Airlines Pocketfly timetable
• Six Apart Typepad application version 1.01

In ROM Memory (Dutty's ROM):

• C. Ghisler & Co. Total Commander version 2.5 Beta 3
• BatteryStatus version 1.04.203 Beta4 Build 0253 (no overclocking with the Kaiser)
• AdvancedConfig version 1.1

On 2GB Mini SD card:

For the moment I have no need to install application on the SD card...

PhatWare releases Calligrapher 8.6

PhatWare's just announced the release of CalliGrapher 8.6. This is a free upgrade to users of CalliGrapher 8.x.

I have been using Calligrapher on my Windows Mobile device since before the days of integrated keyboards. With my Tilt, I still use it quite a bit switching between the keyboard and handwriting using CalliGrapher's Write Pad. Calligrapher has gotten better with every version. Version 8.5 recognition was very good but slow, hopefully 8.6 will speed things up.

When I installed PhatPad 4.4, PhatWare also include their PhatUpdate utility which can update their software as well as WebIS' over the air. I used it to update CalliGrapher. I will report back next week how I like version 8.6.

Directv web based DVR Scheduler to be released on 1/23

dbstalk.com had reported that Directv would release DVR scheduling on January 17th. I tried signing on this morning and got the following notice:

The m.directv.com web site page after I tried to sign in. It looks like the 23rd is the magic date...

Get Pocket Informant 2007 free today and tomorrow

I am a big fan of WebIS' Pocket Informant. Along with SBSH's Pocket Breeze, it is the main applications, other than email,  I use on my Windows Mobile device. My last review of Pocket Informant was for PI 2007 Revision 1 (pocketnow.com review link),

pocketpcthoughts.com is offering a great opportunity to get Pocket Informant 2007 Revision 4 for free today and tomorrow. Follow this link and use coupon code PIFREE. If you have not used it, try it you will never go back to the Microsoft PIM.