Currently I am still on hold with Comcast. The reason I called is because Showtime isn't coming in on my Tivo through the CableCard, but Showtime is working fine on all of the other TVs in the house.
So after being on hold for about 15 minutes, my call was answered by a woman named April. As usual, it took me about 5 whole minutes to explain that I wasn't calling about a cable box, but rather a cable CARD, used in Tivos and some TVs. The comcast phone representatives are usually completely confused, puzzled and uninformed that this technology even exists, let alone how to help troubleshoot it with a customer. So after April put me on hold to go ask her boss how to do her job, I was disconnected from the phone call.
So I called 1-888-COMCAST once again. My little trick is to choose the option for "cancel my account". That usually gets me through to one of the unqualified idiots pretty quickly. It doesn't matter because the buttons and choices you push on the phone menu aren't relayed to representative anyway. (My personal favorite is when the automated voice tells you to enter you phone number, and the person asks you for the number again anyway). If the marketing department at Comcast would stop making the cheesy commercials and spend a little money on upgrading their customer service department's phone menu system, maybe they wouldn't have worse customer approval ratings than President Bush had.
Anywho, the next service representative that I had the pleasure of speaking to explained that he couldn't help me because the first woman I spoke with was already accessing my account. So I asked if he could transfer me to her again, since she didn't bother to attempt to contact me after we were disconnected. He wasn't able to do this because they were in different call centers across the country, but he gave me an extension to enter and transferred me to "the other call center". After another short hold, I was looped back into the main phone system "Thank you for calling Comcast, for English, press 1".
Needless to say, after another short hold I was connected to yet a THIRD comcast representative. I am currently on the phone with him still, and I was able to write this entire blog entry while on hold with Comcast.
Hopefully this guy will get my Showtime HD (ch. 339) working by tonight so I can watch "Weeds" at 10:00pm EST.
Comcast needs to seriously revamp their customer service department, as well as their entire business model and personnel. Words can't describe my frustration over the years with this excuse for a company.
I'm excited for the day when I have the option of choosing a different cable and internet provider (u-verse?), but Comcast continues to hold an illegal monopoly on most markets in America.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
iPod Touch
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't buy one. I got the 16gb iPod Touch as a gift. I usually don't like apple's products, but because of all the features offered on this MP3 player, I decided to actually keep it and use it (instead of selling it on ebay), so in this review I'll try to be gentle.
When I took it out of the box, the first step was to slip it into the case (bought separately) and put the protective film (bought separately) on the screen. I'm not sure why Apple makes their products so prone to fingerprints, dust, and scratches, but my guess is that it makes people buy more products because they break faster. I found it odd that a wall charger wasn't included. This seems to imply that the USB cord should be the primary charger from a computer...which isn't usually an ideal concept to begin with.
One of my favorite features of the iPod Touch is the WiFi capability. Since wireless networks are pretty much everywhere these days, and my Blackberry doesn't have Wifi (Thanks, Verizon!), I was willing to add another device to my pocket for fast, easy web browsing. I must say that the browsing experience is second to none when it comes to mobile devices. (This doesn't mean that the iPhone is the best cell phone, we'll save that discussion for another post) Using gmail, google maps and facebook on the iPod Touch were both much better and easier than on my blackberry.
Weather is easier than on the blackberry as well. All benefits of of wifi, but in non-wifi areas, it's just an mp3 player. The screen is also exceptionally vivid and obviously much bigger than my blackberry curve.
Another feature I was expecting to enjoy was Bluetooth. However, I was saddened to learn that Apple has blocked the bluetooth chip by not allowing any software to access it. Talk about limiting features. I guess the only use right now is if you purchase the Nike Bluetooth shoes, the iPod will act as a pedometer. Why can't I use bluetooth to stream the iPods music directly to my Sync Car Stereo? Cmon' apple.
So I loaded a few songs onto my iPod and pressed play. I was surprised and delighted to hear music coming out of the ipod itself without any headphones plugged in. They finally put a speaker in it. The quality is satisfactory for what you would expect.
Before I got the iPod I enjoyed the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on my blackberry and used it as an mp3 player (thanks to an 8gb micro sd card). I would plug it in via USB, it would show up as drive, I'd transfer music onto it, and I could delete songs from the blackberry itself, or transfer them to another computer via USB. I could even send a song to a friend using bluetooth (or email).
With the Apple iPod Touch, I am forced to use iTunes to connect and transfer music. It doesn't show up as a drive so I can't have access to my files outside of itunes. Also, I can't delete a song from my iPod on the go, I have to plug it in and use iTunes to do that. And connecting to another computer? Forget it. You can play the music but that's about it. Now, I realize that this concept is what Apple fights against because of the copyright violations that it can facilitate. But what if I want to use it to transfer music from my desktop to my laptop?
Besides the obvious limitations of not being able to access or replace the battery or memory on the iPod, it does deliver as a feature packed mp3 player. It raises the bar of mobile computing capabilities. And I think I would say that I prefer to use the iPod over my blackberry for my music on the go, but it's another device to carry. Why not get an iPhone? Because I love my blackberry and I would never use a limiting Apple product for my primary communication method. But, I gotta say, Apple delivered on the iPod Touch, let's just hope they don't make may us pay for each new feature as it comes out.
So I'll be listening to music on my new iPod Touch now, and hopefully the battery will last through more charge cycles than my last iPod did.
When I took it out of the box, the first step was to slip it into the case (bought separately) and put the protective film (bought separately) on the screen. I'm not sure why Apple makes their products so prone to fingerprints, dust, and scratches, but my guess is that it makes people buy more products because they break faster. I found it odd that a wall charger wasn't included. This seems to imply that the USB cord should be the primary charger from a computer...which isn't usually an ideal concept to begin with.
One of my favorite features of the iPod Touch is the WiFi capability. Since wireless networks are pretty much everywhere these days, and my Blackberry doesn't have Wifi (Thanks, Verizon!), I was willing to add another device to my pocket for fast, easy web browsing. I must say that the browsing experience is second to none when it comes to mobile devices. (This doesn't mean that the iPhone is the best cell phone, we'll save that discussion for another post) Using gmail, google maps and facebook on the iPod Touch were both much better and easier than on my blackberry.
Weather is easier than on the blackberry as well. All benefits of of wifi, but in non-wifi areas, it's just an mp3 player. The screen is also exceptionally vivid and obviously much bigger than my blackberry curve.
Another feature I was expecting to enjoy was Bluetooth. However, I was saddened to learn that Apple has blocked the bluetooth chip by not allowing any software to access it. Talk about limiting features. I guess the only use right now is if you purchase the Nike Bluetooth shoes, the iPod will act as a pedometer. Why can't I use bluetooth to stream the iPods music directly to my Sync Car Stereo? Cmon' apple.
So I loaded a few songs onto my iPod and pressed play. I was surprised and delighted to hear music coming out of the ipod itself without any headphones plugged in. They finally put a speaker in it. The quality is satisfactory for what you would expect.
Before I got the iPod I enjoyed the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on my blackberry and used it as an mp3 player (thanks to an 8gb micro sd card). I would plug it in via USB, it would show up as drive, I'd transfer music onto it, and I could delete songs from the blackberry itself, or transfer them to another computer via USB. I could even send a song to a friend using bluetooth (or email).
With the Apple iPod Touch, I am forced to use iTunes to connect and transfer music. It doesn't show up as a drive so I can't have access to my files outside of itunes. Also, I can't delete a song from my iPod on the go, I have to plug it in and use iTunes to do that. And connecting to another computer? Forget it. You can play the music but that's about it. Now, I realize that this concept is what Apple fights against because of the copyright violations that it can facilitate. But what if I want to use it to transfer music from my desktop to my laptop?
Besides the obvious limitations of not being able to access or replace the battery or memory on the iPod, it does deliver as a feature packed mp3 player. It raises the bar of mobile computing capabilities. And I think I would say that I prefer to use the iPod over my blackberry for my music on the go, but it's another device to carry. Why not get an iPhone? Because I love my blackberry and I would never use a limiting Apple product for my primary communication method. But, I gotta say, Apple delivered on the iPod Touch, let's just hope they don't make may us pay for each new feature as it comes out.
So I'll be listening to music on my new iPod Touch now, and hopefully the battery will last through more charge cycles than my last iPod did.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Microsoft Sync
Even though I leased the lowest trim level of the 2009 Ford Escape, it came equipped standard with Microsoft Sync. I gotta hand it to Microsoft; they really delivered on this one. While Sync certainly has flaws, glitches, and some especially peculiar annoyances, the computer-based voice activated audio management system does provide an experience unlike all others.
Sync's I/O interfaces include: USB (thumb drives, iPods, or theoretically anything else with audio files), Line In (for connecting any audio source with a 3.5mm headphone jack), and Bluetooth. The surprisingly long-range bluetooth connection allows for up to 10 phones to be paired. The paring between Sync and my Blackberry Curve 8330 performs beautifully in both modes. Phone mode kicks in when I receive a call or place one. The Blackberry also functions as an audio source streaming via bluetooth to Sync. Although the signal comes in at a slightly lower volume than the other sources, there is ample amperage to achieve a comfortable (or loud) listening volume.
TECHGRIPE: [After I walk away from the car far enough to lose the bluetooth pairing with my Blackberry, when I come back to the car, it won't reconnect until you turn the car off and back on again.]
The USB works well but beware...if you want to use the Line In headphone jack input, Sync will litterly say out loud, "Line In is unavailable when a device is connected to USB." So once you unplug your USB drive, you have to (once againe) use the menu and navigate to the Line In source. Once you're listening to Line In, you can go ahead and plug your USB drive back in, don't worry, it won't interrupt your music. TECHGRIPE: [C'mon Microsoft!]
Overall Microsoft Sync impresses as a top-of-the-line car audio management system. However, there are still many firmware upgrades and feature tweaks needed for this product to reach its full potential.
Sync's I/O interfaces include: USB (thumb drives, iPods, or theoretically anything else with audio files), Line In (for connecting any audio source with a 3.5mm headphone jack), and Bluetooth. The surprisingly long-range bluetooth connection allows for up to 10 phones to be paired. The paring between Sync and my Blackberry Curve 8330 performs beautifully in both modes. Phone mode kicks in when I receive a call or place one. The Blackberry also functions as an audio source streaming via bluetooth to Sync. Although the signal comes in at a slightly lower volume than the other sources, there is ample amperage to achieve a comfortable (or loud) listening volume.
TECHGRIPE: [After I walk away from the car far enough to lose the bluetooth pairing with my Blackberry, when I come back to the car, it won't reconnect until you turn the car off and back on again.]
The USB works well but beware...if you want to use the Line In headphone jack input, Sync will litterly say out loud, "Line In is unavailable when a device is connected to USB." So once you unplug your USB drive, you have to (once againe) use the menu and navigate to the Line In source. Once you're listening to Line In, you can go ahead and plug your USB drive back in, don't worry, it won't interrupt your music. TECHGRIPE: [C'mon Microsoft!]
Overall Microsoft Sync impresses as a top-of-the-line car audio management system. However, there are still many firmware upgrades and feature tweaks needed for this product to reach its full potential.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Verizon Customer Service?
The other day I received a call from a friendly Verizon Wireless representative. Of course, the call started with "Hello, Eric, this is Rachel from Verizon Wireless, how are you doing today?" She explained that I was eligible for an "early upgrade" on my line, which is basically a loophole in their 'new every two' policy that, until recently exploited, was scarcely known about or used. (Now, they've figured out a way to save face by handing it to you on a silver platter with a friendly phone call) I explained to her that I was already aware of my early upgrade eligibility and am waiting for a new blackberry to be released. When I asked her if she knew anything about that, she said "I don't have any specific information on any new blackberry devices or releases, but there could be a new one out next week, you never know..."
I understand that Verizon can't officially release information until a certain point in time, however, if Verizon made their representatives keep up with the industry in which they are working, they might be able to provide a better service to the customer. If the rep had read just one of the seven tech blogs I keep up with, she would know what I know, which is that the new Blackberry Niagra will likely (read: hopefully) be released in May. Sure, it's technically a rumor, but at least it's some form of information. Hell, even recommending to search the web would be better than "we don't have any information at this time".
So thanks for the (lack of) customer service, Verizon. Maybe I should have said "put me on your do not call list" but that might be a little counter-productive considering they are my wireless (and only) phone provider. Although I'm not ready to jump off the Verizon bandwagon just yet, it would be nice if they would stop disabling/blocking cell phone features such as Wifi, but hey, maybe that's just too much to ask.
Can you hear me now? Good ;)
I understand that Verizon can't officially release information until a certain point in time, however, if Verizon made their representatives keep up with the industry in which they are working, they might be able to provide a better service to the customer. If the rep had read just one of the seven tech blogs I keep up with, she would know what I know, which is that the new Blackberry Niagra will likely (read: hopefully) be released in May. Sure, it's technically a rumor, but at least it's some form of information. Hell, even recommending to search the web would be better than "we don't have any information at this time".
So thanks for the (lack of) customer service, Verizon. Maybe I should have said "put me on your do not call list" but that might be a little counter-productive considering they are my wireless (and only) phone provider. Although I'm not ready to jump off the Verizon bandwagon just yet, it would be nice if they would stop disabling/blocking cell phone features such as Wifi, but hey, maybe that's just too much to ask.
Can you hear me now? Good ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)