joe, beta

law, tech, and stuff for geeks.
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Sprint

 
June 23
2010
Filed under:  

Google
  Google Apps
  Google Docs
  Google Profiles
  Google Voice
  Sprint
  Voicemail
 
 

Transfer Your Google Voice Number to Another Google Account [How-To]

Comments [10]

Yesterday Google announced that Google Voice is officially open to the world. No more beta means no more invite requirement. Just go to google.com/voice and get started. The news spurred me to inquire about moving my Google Voice number, which I acquired during the beta and attached to the Google account associated with my old Gmail address, over to the shiny new Google Apps account I use at joebeta.com.

I try to explain why and, most importantly, how, below. I'm not winning any how-to awards, but it's really as easy as filling out a form and waiting a few hours. Also, the forums linked to below are full of helpful users and even some Google employees, so they're a vital resource.

I've been consolidating everything from my Google Docs stuff to my Google Profile under my new account, so why not integrate it with the Google Voice account and number that have become such an integral part of my personal communications toolbox?
 
I figured all I had to do was somehow transfer the Google Voice (GV) number I signed up for under my old account to the new account. That way, emailed voicemail transcripts and other notifications related to GV will end up in the email address and Google account in which I've consolidated all my other web services.
 
Get some more explanation on the why and the how after the break. Go, click! 

Read the rest of this post »

May 27
2010
Filed under:  

Engadget
  HTC EVO 4G
  Sprint
  The Engadget Show
  Video
 
 

"The Engadget Show - 009: Kevin Lynch, editor Q&A, AT&T GNOC tour, Sprint EVO 4G" -- via @Engadget [Video]

Comments [0]

via engadget.com

Don't be stupid. Watch it. Know it. Love it.

Embrace the geek.

May 20
2010
Filed under:  

Engadget
  HTC
  HTC EVO 4G
  Sprint
  Video
  WiMax
 
 

No words, only emotions: 18 minutes of @Engadget HTC EVO 4G hands-on [Video]

Comments [0]

via engadget.com

Nothing much to say.

March 25
2010
Filed under:  

4G
  Android
  Engadget
  Handsets
  HTC
  HTC EVO 4G
  Sprint
  Video
 
 

Video of the HTC EVO 4G, coming to @Sprint this summer -- Via @Engadget [Video]

Comments [0]

via engadget.com

Wow.

March 23
2010
Filed under:  

Android
  Engadget
  HTC
  HTC EVO 4G
  Image
  Palm
  Palm Pre
  Sprint
 
 

"HTC EVO 4G is Sprint's Android-powered knight in superphone armor, we go hands-on" -- Via @Engadget [Image]

Comments [1]

via engadget.com

My Palm Pre is, appropriately, getting uncomfortable.

January 26
2010
Filed under:  

AT&T
  Engadget
  ETF
  FCC
  Google
  Nexus One
  PDF
  Quote
  Sprint
  T-Mobile
  Verizon
 
 

FCC Letter To Carriers Asks What's Up With Early Termination Fees...Again [PDF]

Comments [0]

(download)

Five PDF files is a lot of PDF files, so I only attached one. The FCC sent a letter to each major carrier, following up on a notice of inquiry it sent out at the end of last summer. All of the letters are substantially similar. Except, that is, the one addressed to Google. The Google letter references the search and advertising giant's newb status on the phone scene. It also recognizes that pesky dual early termination fee suffered by those unimpressed by the Nexus One. Specifically, the Google letter says:


[. . .] where new options may subject consumers to substantial ETFs, potentially from more than one entit y, the Commission has a special interest in ensuring that consumers have a clear and complete understanding of the rates, terms, and conditions on which the communications services are being offered and the rationale for those rates, terms, and conditions. The combination of ETFs from Google and T-Mobile for the Nexus One is also unique among the four major national carriers. Consumers have been surprised by this policy and by its financial impact. Please let us know your rationale(s) for these combined fees, and whether you have coordinated or will coordinate on these fees and on the disclosure of their combined effect.

The FCC included a laundry list of questions:
  1. Do your ETFs apply to all service plans or only some? If so, which ones?
  2. What is the amount of the ETF for each service plan where ETFs apply? If there are different ETFs for different plans, what is the rationale for those differences?
  3. How much of a discount on handset purchase is given in return for a consumer accepting an ETF? Does the amount of the discount differ by device, and if so, how?
  4. Does the ETF itself vary by device (e.g., higher ETFs for advanced devices)? If higher ETFs apply to a certain class of devices, exactly how is that class defined?
  5. Is it possible for consumers to buy a handset from you at full price to avoid an ETF? If this is possible, can consumers buy unsubsidized handsets online, as well as at brick-and-mortar stores?
  6. Do monthly service rates and terms differ: (1) between customers who assume a term commitment and accept an ETF, and those who don’t, and (2) betweencustomers who purchase an unsubsidized device (either from your company or a third party), and those who purchase a subsidized device? If so, how do they differ, and what is the rationale for the difference? Can customers easily determine the impacts of their decisions and their rates and terms?
  7. Are ETFs prorated so that the customer’s liability decreases over time? If so, what is the exact schedule by which they are prorated?
  8. If a customer renews his or her contract without buying a new handset, does his or her monthly service fee change in any way?
  9. How long is the trial period during which consumers can cancel their servicewithout an ETF penalty? If they cancel, can they return the handset? If they return it, will they receive a full refund, no refund, or a refund minus a restocking and/or refurbishing fee?
  10. When do consumers receive their first bill under your service plans? How does the trial period relate, if at all, to receipt of the first bill?
  11. Are there consumer fees or charges in addition to ETFs if consumers buy handsets and/or service plans from online phone dealers, such as Amazon, LetsTalk, and Simplexity (d/b/a Wirefly), or from a service provider, if a customer does not complete the contract term? If so, what are they, and what are their levels, terms,and conditions? Do the fees or charges affect the ETFs and if so, how?
  12. Press reports and public statements from wireless companies have attributed ETFs to several different factors. What is the rationale for your ETF(s), and how specifically do the structure and level of those ETF(s) relate to that rationale?
Of course, the carriers can request that their responses receive a degree of confidentiality, pursuant to section 0.459 of the FCC's rules (which can be read at 47 C.F.R. § 0.459 for those of you looking for some light, early-evening reading...). This means that we may not see much of the information the FCC is asking for unless it's already public, but hopefully they will use the answers they get to keep a close eye on ETFs as phones continue to evolve and mobile broadband becomes the norm.

You can view and download all of the letters from the FCC's website:

December 28
2009
Filed under:  

Engadget
  Palm Pre
  Quote
  Sprint
  webOS
 
 

"Sprint says webOS 1.3.5 is hitting the Pre today" -- Engadget

Comments [0]

Sprint is showing a release date of December 28 -- that's today, by the way -- for webOS 1.3.5 on the Pre.
via engadget.com

This would be awesome. But, so far, not a peep from the Updates app...