Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM, Robin Paulson wrote: > you might have to push it to find the real truth - there may even be a > law requiring number portability, in which case they can't refuse In .eu, or at the least in .nl, the telco is obliged to give you the option to transfer your old number, even if you have a SIM-only contract. I've been reachble on my current number since 1995... Christ van Willegen -- 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
2009/6/16 Mikhail Umorin : >> > cheapest, with 3G card). Both worked fine. To keep an old cell number one >> > has to sign up for a contract. >> >> i'm fairly sure that is marketing BS. afaik, there is nothing required >> to keep an old number. >> > > Well, when the salesperson tells you that they will not transfer the phone > number unless you sign up for a contract there's not much you can do... At > least, that's what I got. in my experience, some companies, particularly telcos (yes, that means you vodafone nz) tell sales staff any bollocks to make a few quid. i've had sales staff try and pull all sorts - don't believe them you might have to push it to find the real truth - there may even be a law requiring number portability, in which case they can't refuse ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
> Well, when the salesperson tells you that they will not transfer the phone > number unless you sign up for a contract there's not much you can do... At > least, that's what I got. Which carrier told you that? I just transferred my number and didn't have to sign up for a contract with T-mobile. They didn't even try to sell me one when I told them I already had a phone. They also allowed me to transfer my number a couple weeks after activating the SIM, so I was able to have a temporary number for the Freerunner while I tested calling it with my old cell phone. On the other hand, Sprint, who I was switching from, did send me a huge bill for quitting before my contract expired, even though it had expired years ago. I called Sprint up and, to make a long story short, after I reminded them that they are big dummies, they apologized and dropped the charges. :-) --Ben ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
On Tuesday 16 June 2009 00:15:02 David Ford wrote: > Mikhail Umorin wrote: > > I tried both t-mobile and att pre-paid phones. t-mobile sold me just a > > SIM card ($20 in store, $7 online), att sold me with a phone ($20 > > cheapest, with 3G card). Both worked fine. To keep an old cell number one > > has to sign up for a contract. > > i'm fairly sure that is marketing BS. afaik, there is nothing required > to keep an old number. > Well, when the salesperson tells you that they will not transfer the phone number unless you sign up for a contract there's not much you can do... At least, that's what I got. > ___ > Openmoko community mailing list > community@lists.openmoko.org > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Mikhail Umorin wrote: > I tried both t-mobile and att pre-paid phones. t-mobile sold me just a SIM > card ($20 in store, $7 online), att sold me with a phone ($20 cheapest, with > 3G card). Both worked fine. To keep an old cell number one has to sign up for > a contract. > i'm fairly sure that is marketing BS. afaik, there is nothing required to keep an old number. ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Just FYI > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > > subscribe to? > > > > Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) > > Slightly off. It also needs to be a GSM network. Right now, that's only > AT&T & T-Mobile for the US. > I tried both t-mobile and att pre-paid phones. t-mobile sold me just a SIM card ($20 in store, $7 online), att sold me with a phone ($20 cheapest, with 3G card). Both worked fine. To keep an old cell number one has to sign up for a contract. ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Thanks, Ben -- I just got the SIM card from T-Mobile, the uSD card and the FreeRunner! we'll see how it goes! On Monday 08 June 2009 03:55:35 Ben Wong wrote: > On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM, Mike wrote: > > Thanks, Rene -- > > > > I just ordered the freerunner -- very exciting! > > Excellent. You may want to check the GSM firmware version when you > get it. I received my phone recently and it had an old firmware on it > (version 8 instead of 11, I think). The phone mostly worked, but I > couldn't do GPRS until I flashed the GSM firmware. > > Here's the page for how to update it: > > http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/GSM/Flashing > > Note that, although the web page describes the procedure as a > lobotomy, it's not nearly so scary, even using the step-by-step > method, which I did. Even easier, there's a microSD image you can > download that automates the procedure for you. > > By the way, the advice to just buy a SIM card instead of a whole > plan is the right one. That way you won't be locked into a year long > contract. I'm using T-mobile and it works great; data is unlimited > and the price is fair. I've heard T-mobile's coverage is not as good > as AT&T's in the US, but it hasn't been a problem for me. My only > complaint is that ping times are often over 1000ms, and I'm not even > sure that that's T-mobile's fault. > > --Ben > > ___ > Openmoko community mailing list > community@lists.openmoko.org > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM, Mike wrote: > Thanks, Rene -- > > I just ordered the freerunner -- very exciting! Excellent. You may want to check the GSM firmware version when you get it. I received my phone recently and it had an old firmware on it (version 8 instead of 11, I think). The phone mostly worked, but I couldn't do GPRS until I flashed the GSM firmware. Here's the page for how to update it: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/GSM/Flashing Note that, although the web page describes the procedure as a lobotomy, it's not nearly so scary, even using the step-by-step method, which I did. Even easier, there's a microSD image you can download that automates the procedure for you. By the way, the advice to just buy a SIM card instead of a whole plan is the right one. That way you won't be locked into a year long contract. I'm using T-mobile and it works great; data is unlimited and the price is fair. I've heard T-mobile's coverage is not as good as AT&T's in the US, but it hasn't been a problem for me. My only complaint is that ping times are often over 1000ms, and I'm not even sure that that's T-mobile's fault. --Ben ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
No problem, Jeremy -- I have been using Linux on my desktop (Mandrake/Mandriva) for 10 years now. Thanks for the tip about the SD card! I'll read the wiki and ask here what I still can't understand. Thanks! On Sunday 07 June 2009 23:05:09 jeremy jozwik wrote: > it is exciting, but for a bit you will be very confused. i know i was. next > step for you if you dont already have it is setup a machine with linux. > that is a 100% must have. make sure you get a beefy mini sd card too! > > On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM, Mike wrote: > > Thanks, Rene -- > > > > I just ordered the freerunner -- very exciting! > > > > Mike. > > ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
it is exciting, but for a bit you will be very confused. i know i was. next step for you if you dont already have it is setup a machine with linux. that is a 100% must have. make sure you get a beefy mini sd card too! On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM, Mike wrote: > Thanks, Rene -- > > I just ordered the freerunner -- very exciting! > > Mike. > > On Sunday 07 June 2009 19:27:46 Rene Horn wrote: > > On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM, Damian Spriggs > wrote: > > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > > > subscribe to? > > > > > > Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) > > > > Slightly off. It also needs to be a GSM network. Right now, that's only > > AT&T & T-Mobile for the US. > > > > > 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based > > > phone? > > > > > > > > > Nope. It's a good idea not to tell them. There is nothing that they > need > > > to do other than give you service. > > > > Neither AT&T nor T-Mobile care. You can ask them for just the SIM card. > I > > did. > > > > > 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier > > > options? > > > > > > Not 100% sure, but I don't think Nextel phones use SIMs. I may be wrong > > > though. > > > > Yes they do, but they don't do GSM. > > > > > 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? > > > > > > When you sign up for service, they will give you one, usually in a free > > > phone. All you need to do is pull the SIM out of the phone and install > it > > > in the Freerunner > > > > No, just ask for a SIM card. It's actually cheaper. > > > > > 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? > > > > > > Yep, Texting works on all major distros > > > > > > > > > > > > 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? > > > > > > I haven't done it personally, but I've seen maillist threads describing > > > the process. > > > > > > > > > > > > I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the > GSM > > > world > > > (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate > > > any > > > > > > (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and > > > receiving calls and text messages. > > > > > > > > > Your best bet would be a good, thorough read through of the wiki[1]. > > > There is a plethora of introductory information. If you still have > > > questions, try the friendly maillists or IRC channels. > > > Hope this helps. > > > > > > > > > [1] http://wiki.openmoko.org > > > --- > > > Damian A. Spriggs > > > > > > ___ > > > Openmoko community mailing list > > > community@lists.openmoko.org > > > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community > > > > ___ > Openmoko community mailing list > community@lists.openmoko.org > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community > ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Thanks, Rene -- I just ordered the freerunner -- very exciting! Mike. On Sunday 07 June 2009 19:27:46 Rene Horn wrote: > On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM, Damian Spriggs wrote: > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > > subscribe to? > > > > Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) > > Slightly off. It also needs to be a GSM network. Right now, that's only > AT&T & T-Mobile for the US. > > > 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based > > phone? > > > > > > Nope. It's a good idea not to tell them. There is nothing that they need > > to do other than give you service. > > Neither AT&T nor T-Mobile care. You can ask them for just the SIM card. I > did. > > > 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier > > options? > > > > Not 100% sure, but I don't think Nextel phones use SIMs. I may be wrong > > though. > > Yes they do, but they don't do GSM. > > > 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? > > > > When you sign up for service, they will give you one, usually in a free > > phone. All you need to do is pull the SIM out of the phone and install it > > in the Freerunner > > No, just ask for a SIM card. It's actually cheaper. > > > 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? > > > > Yep, Texting works on all major distros > > > > > > > > 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? > > > > I haven't done it personally, but I've seen maillist threads describing > > the process. > > > > > > > > I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the GSM > > world > > (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate > > any > > > > (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and > > receiving calls and text messages. > > > > > > Your best bet would be a good, thorough read through of the wiki[1]. > > There is a plethora of introductory information. If you still have > > questions, try the friendly maillists or IRC channels. > > Hope this helps. > > > > > > [1] http://wiki.openmoko.org > > --- > > Damian A. Spriggs > > > > ___ > > Openmoko community mailing list > > community@lists.openmoko.org > > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM, Damian Spriggs wrote: > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > subscribe to? > > Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) > Slightly off. It also needs to be a GSM network. Right now, that's only AT&T & T-Mobile for the US. > > > 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based phone? > > > Nope. It's a good idea not to tell them. There is nothing that they need to > do other than give you service. > Neither AT&T nor T-Mobile care. You can ask them for just the SIM card. I did. > > > 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier > options? > > Not 100% sure, but I don't think Nextel phones use SIMs. I may be wrong > though. > Yes they do, but they don't do GSM. > > > 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? > > When you sign up for service, they will give you one, usually in a free > phone. All you need to do is pull the SIM out of the phone and install it in > the Freerunner > No, just ask for a SIM card. It's actually cheaper. > > > 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? > > Yep, Texting works on all major distros > > > > 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? > > I haven't done it personally, but I've seen maillist threads describing the > process. > > > > I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the GSM > world > (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate any > > (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and > receiving calls and text messages. > > > Your best bet would be a good, thorough read through of the wiki[1]. There > is a plethora of introductory information. If you still have questions, try > the friendly maillists or IRC channels. > Hope this helps. > > > [1] http://wiki.openmoko.org > --- > Damian A. Spriggs > > ___ > Openmoko community mailing list > community@lists.openmoko.org > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community > > -- Sigs are boring, except this one... ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Yep, you'll have no problem keeping your phone number. When you sign up with a new provider, they'll transfer it for you. -- Damian On Jun 7, 2009, at 7:18 PM, Mike wrote: > Thank you, Robin and Damian! > > I know how it works now. Another question: Shall I be able to keep > my cell > phone number? > > Thanks again for your time! ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Thank you, Robin and Damian! I know how it works now. Another question: Shall I be able to keep my cell phone number? Thanks again for your time! On Saturday 06 June 2009 22:39:11 Damian Spriggs wrote: > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > > subscribe to? > > Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) > > > 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based > > phone? > > Nope. It's a good idea not to tell them. There is nothing that they > need to do other than give you service. > > > 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier > > options? > > Not 100% sure, but I don't think Nextel phones use SIMs. I may be > wrong though. > > > 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? > > When you sign up for service, they will give you one, usually in a > free phone. All you need to do is pull the SIM out of the phone and > install it in the Freerunner > > > 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? > > Yep, Texting works on all major distros > > > 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? > > I haven't done it personally, but I've seen maillist threads > describing the process. > > > I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the > > GSM world > > (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would > > appreciate any > > (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and > > receiving calls and text messages. > > Your best bet would be a good, thorough read through of the wiki[1]. > There is a plethora of introductory information. If you still have > questions, try the friendly maillists or IRC channels. > > Hope this helps. > > > [1] http://wiki.openmoko.org > --- > Damian A. Spriggs ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to subscribe to? Any that use a SIM card. So AT&T or T-Mobile. (I use AT&T just fine) 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based phone? Nope. It's a good idea not to tell them. There is nothing that they need to do other than give you service. 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier options? Not 100% sure, but I don't think Nextel phones use SIMs. I may be wrong though. 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? When you sign up for service, they will give you one, usually in a free phone. All you need to do is pull the SIM out of the phone and install it in the Freerunner 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? Yep, Texting works on all major distros 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? I haven't done it personally, but I've seen maillist threads describing the process. I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the GSM world (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate any (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and receiving calls and text messages. Your best bet would be a good, thorough read through of the wiki[1]. There is a plethora of introductory information. If you still have questions, try the friendly maillists or IRC channels. Hope this helps. [1] http://wiki.openmoko.org --- Damian A. Spriggs ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: How to get started with Openmoko phone?
2009/6/7 Mike : > I would like to use a Linux-based open-hardware phone for my phone > communications. I would like to try Neo Freerunner. How do I do that? Namely: > > 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to > subscribe to? must be gsm, any will do, i think > 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based phone? no, it follows the gsm standard, which is all they should be concerned about. all else is irrelevant to them. as far as they're concerned, it's a phone and you give them money. it wouldn't surprise me though, if they knew you were using something a bit unusual, that they say it's 'not supported' or some garbage. i doubt they'd understand what a linux phone is - their customer service won't have a clue about this > 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier options? have you looked at the wiki, there's lots of useful info there. there's probably a list of compatible carriers in your area? > 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? get a prepay, or sell your soul to the devil, and sign up for a contract > 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? yes. of course > 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? possibly. depends on the format they're in on the phone/desktop > I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the GSM world > (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate any > (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and > receiving calls and text messages. open up the back, put the sim in the slot, put it back together, and boot seriously, the wiki will answer your general question better and more quickly than the list will: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Main_Page ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
How to get started with Openmoko phone?
Hello -- I would like to use a Linux-based open-hardware phone for my phone communications. I would like to try Neo Freerunner. How do I do that? Namely: 1) Is there any particular kind of wireless carrier (in US) I need to subscribe to? 2) Do I need to tell the carrier that I shall be using a linux-based phone? 3) Can I use Nextel or ATT and T-mobile are my only national carrier options? 4) How do I get a SIM card for the phone? 5) Can I text (SMS) -- I intend on using Qtopia at the beginning? 6) Can I sync addresses etc with my desktop? I have been using Sprint (CDMA) -- so I am quite unfamiliar with the GSM world (and a phone that does not come with the service) -- I would appreciate any (obvious) tips on how to get from buying the FreeRunner to making and receiving calls and text messages. Thank you for your time -- Mike. ___ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
