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AT&T Suspends iPhone Sales, Demand Overwhelming

iPhone lovers had a bad day yesterday trying to pre-order the iPhone 4. Especially on AT&T's website where security was breached. Lack of adequate testing of its pre-order system may be the cause.

After resorting to pen and paper orders, today AT&T announced it was suspending online pre-orders. Apple's website had problems too. And it has now pushed back delivery date to July 2.

For Applephobes, don't despair. A new Droid phone is due June 23 -- Verizon and Motorola will have it.

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    I Don't Get The Apple Craze ? (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 12:23:01 PM EST
    I have a iPhone 3G and my wife has a Droid, one in the same.  My first computer was a Macintosh, I had a Power Mac years ago, and several of my friends have Mac Books.  Nearly everyone I know has an iPhone, and nearly all of them don't know how to use half of the features.

    To this day no one can give me a compelling reason why Apple is so fricken awesome.

    I will admit my various iPods are/were revolutionary, and there isn't a descent clone out there.  That can't be said for the iPhone, the iPad, or the Mac Book.  Most of which I think the clones are equal if not better.

    I appreciate that people love their Macs, but I can do so much more on my HP laptop with less effort.  They are a good, if not great company, but the way people go insane to have the latest and greatest is mind boggling.

    600,000 iPhones in one day ?  

    It is a religious thing (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by denise k on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:30:43 PM EST
    I am convinced Apple-mania is largely a religious thing.  Those who "believe in" Apple get Apples.  Those who "believe in" PCs or Droids or whatever are simply of a different religious persuasion.  Don't even bother with logic or practicality.  It does not enter into the equation.  As someone who is happy on any platform once I learn how to use it, (a techno-agnostic maybe?), I wait until the kinks get worked out in a system before I latch onto it.  After all, that is all this iPhone 4 ordering problem amounts to.  I don't have or want AT&T, (an ATT non-believer?) so that is my holdup.  

    When is the iPhone going to be available on non-ATT networks anyway?

    Parent

    Not based on faith (none / 0) (#44)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:57:07 PM EST
    Why is it not logical for people to get the kind of product they like? There are objective advantages and disadvantages of Apples and other computers. You pick the one whose advantages are in your high priority areas. It is more practical and logical than you give it credit for.

    Parent
    True (none / 0) (#48)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:31:42 PM EST
    Honestly I got the Droid Incredible because it's the one that's most like the IPhone in terms of interface and ease of use - with all the bells and whistles - but I can keep my Verizon service.

    However the disdain definitely cuts both ways.

    "Applephobes" - haha Jeralyn :)  

    More like an AT&T phobe here.

    Parent

    My Droid friends (none / 0) (#52)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:43:51 PM EST
    are split between people like you that won't go with ATT, and people who are members of Open Source groups. I haven't kept up with who is 'in charge' of the android OS, but it seems to appeal to them more than Apple.

    Parent
    When will Apple open IPhones (none / 0) (#81)
    by denise k on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 09:39:43 PM EST
    to other carriers?  I'd get one in a heart beat, but until they do, I have no use for the phone.  

    Parent
    No word on that (none / 0) (#83)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:25:40 PM EST
    I think ATT may have a five year exclusivity deal, or that was the last rumor I read anyway. No one has actually seen the contract between Apple and ATT. So that would mean 2012.

    Parent
    They Do Everywhere, but.... (none / 0) (#87)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 08:37:00 AM EST
    ... The US.  There is some sort of law in the US that allows Phone Carriers to keep phones specific to their service.

    Not true in Europe, the iPhone will jump on Tmobile or any other service that is on the same network as AT&T and Tmobile.  It actually comes preloaded with a Tmobile logo.

    Parent

    It would be interesting to see a market (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 12:39:58 PM EST
    breakdown of the 600k. How many are upgrading current phones, switching from other phones, etc. I suspect a lot of 3G upgraders who skipped the 3GS upgrade, plus 3GS upgraders with the early contract termination/renewal deal from ATT.

    For myself, I stick to Apple products a) because they are good products, and b) because they all play so well together. Personally, I don't want the inconvenience of multiple systems to deal with. I know I could handle it, being a geek myself, but I jsut don't want to spend my time on it.

    Parent

    How much is iPhone 4? (none / 0) (#24)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:07:47 PM EST
    Also, looking at ATT website, looks to me, even though I am current ATT Blackberry customer, I would have to pay for increased data package.

    Parent
    16gig - $199 32gig - $299 (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:10:53 PM EST
    ATT costs - I get the lowest amount of phone minutes they will allow, which is 450 anytime minutes and 5000 night/weekend minutes for $39.95. New data plans are $15 a month for 200 mg, $25 for up to 2 gig, $30 for up to 8 gig. There is I think a $10 fee for every 1 gig over 8 gig.  I use around 300 meg a month, so the $25 plan would work for me - less than what I pay now which is $30 for unlimited. Plus I pay $5 a month for 200 text messages. I think unlimited texts is $10 a month

    Parent
    I just called ATT to get the $5 texting (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:08:05 PM EST
    plan added.  Guy sd. the "grandfather" deal is only for existing ATT iPhone customers, not existing ATT Blackberry customers.  

    Parent
    At This Point... (none / 0) (#49)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:36:00 PM EST
    ... you have to get a contract, the stand alone phone isn't available for pre-orders.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#30)
    by squeaky on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:40:31 PM EST
    Why do people buy BMWs and Mercedes cars when a bottom of the line US make will do the same thing.

    It is that some people like the design, machining, and quality that goes into the production.

    With Apple v the others it is a similar issue, except Apple is not much more expensive, or the same as an ugly pc.

    Also many like the shell that Apple provides. From what I understand it is more intuitive than their competitors. Also upgrading and adding stuff seems easier, not so much having to figure out about compatibility and installing. Printers etc just seem to work when plugged in.

    But I am not a good source to give comparisons. I had one PC in the early 1980's. IBM 256K ram, two floppy drives, monochrome monitor. I switched to Apple in the early 90's and never strayed, so I do not even know how to operate a windows computer.

    Parent

    That is always my point too (none / 0) (#33)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:15:15 PM EST
    No one blinks an eye about people choosing different cars because they like their features or looks better.

    I have to use a Windows XP PC at work, and while I have gotten used to it, I just don't like it. I would never spend my own money on it, even if it only costs half of what my MacBook costs.

    Parent

    Will I regret replacing my Toshiba laptop (none / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:31:12 PM EST
    (w/large screen) with a smaller screen Mac laptop?

    Parent
    I don't think you would regret it (none / 0) (#41)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:44:07 PM EST
    I've been thinking I wish I had gotten the 15in screen. I have the 17 inch now, and it is on the heavy side.

    I'd say go to Best Buy or an Apple store and look at the displays on the MacBook. The new ones are very sharp and clear (I'm sure the new PC displays are nice too though) You may find you don't need as big a screen as you used to because the technology is better. Also the Mac OS has a good desktop manager for organizing different workspaces. You can just flip from one virtual desktop to another, so you don't need all that screen real estate all the time. It is similar to what I used to use on Linux machines, but have not found replicated on Windows XP. Maybe the new Windows version has something similar.

    Parent

    The Toshiba is very heavy. Not portable (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:46:23 PM EST
    except in extreme situations.  I envy my relatives flipping open their Macbooks anywhere and everywhere.

    Parent
    I can relate (none / 0) (#53)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:48:05 PM EST
    I think mine is lighter than a 17 inch Dell a friend has, but not much. I bring it on trips, but I don't 'flip' it open! Hard to handle with one hand.

    Love those MacAirs...could definitely flip that baby around, but I have no earthly need for one!

    Parent

    Well... (none / 0) (#40)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:40:48 PM EST
    ... When was the last time an established company's website crashed because of a new product.  I understand people prefer Apple, I prefer HP.  BMW has never run out of cars to sell, and I doubt HP has run out of computers, or have their website crash because of people wanting 600,000 of anything per day.  

    But here is Apple, creating an almost unheard of supply, and it's not enough.  How many people do you know with one Apple product, zero, I have friends with 3,4, or 5 iPods (3 myself).  I'm not hating, it's just crazy how Apple has been able to create an insatiable lust of their products.

    The only reason I have a iPhone 3G is because when the 3GS came out my friend had to have it that day, so for $100 I got a nearly new 3G and for an additional $50, I got it unlocked and jailbroken so I could run it on Tmobile.

    He ended up coughing about $400 to go from 3G to 3GS.  Idiotic for him, cool for me.

    Parent

    Say your iPhone got run over by a truck today (none / 0) (#43)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:49:48 PM EST
    What kind of phone would you get? (assuming all the web sites were working)

    I agree - there no excuse for that ordering glitch. None. This is not rocket science.

    I agree it is kind of insane that that even they cannot predict the demand for their own product. Not sure why that is. That's why I'd really like to see who the heck it is buying all these new phones.

    Parent

    Droid (none / 0) (#55)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:59:44 PM EST
    I would go back to my HTC Shadow (semi-smart phone) until December when my Tmobile contract expires, then I would get a Droid.

    That is what I am going to do anyways, sell my iPhone in December and get a Droid.

    I like the iPhone, but it's unlocked and jailbroken (so it will run on Tmobile), so I can not backup my data.  I have tons of cool non-Apple approved software, way beyond what Apple will accept for their store.

    But not having the ability to back it up really sucks.  Last Winter the phone crashed and I lost all my numbers and it blows.  I get a huge discount through my company with Tmobile so that is the carrier I almost have to use.

    About a month ago I got my wife a Droid, and the fact that it syncs with her Google account is reason enough to go Driod.  It syncs her address book and calendar, and obviously Gmail.  She can go into her Google address book or calendar, make changes and it will sync the phone, ditto when she makes changes on her phone.  Apple has the same service through iTunes but you have to have Outlook2007 and you have to physically sync it to your computer with a wire.

    Parent

    cool about the Google sync-up (none / 0) (#62)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:30:51 PM EST
    That is going to be a big competitor to the Apple syncing.

    Yes, it would be a royal pain not to be able to back up the phone.

    I really resist the cult theories. I think people generally do what works best for their own needs.

    Parent

    yes (none / 0) (#68)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:54:43 PM EST
    Gmail synching was another big plus for me.

    But yea it's a trade-off between i-tunes and gmail basically.

    I agree about the cult thing.  It is what it is, you buy it cuz you want it.  I could care less about open source since I wouldn't use it that way anyway.

    And actually one of the creepy things about the Droid is that it has a GPS feature you cannot turn off - so the GPS always knows where it is at all times.

    I don't know if that's true for other phones or not, but it's hardly "liberal".

    Parent

    Does it have an 'airplane mode' (none / 0) (#71)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:17:58 PM EST
    As it is called on the iPhone? That is how I would turn off the GPS. I'm sure it must have, or you would not be able to use it  on an airplane.

    Parent
    I have my iphone working fine (none / 0) (#79)
    by andgarden on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 07:35:08 PM EST
    with push Gmail. You just have to use Google's method. You just use Google Sync.

    Parent
    Me Too (none / 0) (#86)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 08:32:23 AM EST
    But the address book and calendars do not sync, they do with Droid.

    Parent
    Mine do (none / 0) (#88)
    by andgarden on Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 11:28:45 AM EST
    Yeah (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:20:03 PM EST
    Well Apple, Steve Jobs, is extremely smart about marketing and design. The apple products have become fashionable because they look great are easy to uses and fill a need in an elegant way.

    And because they are not crazy expensive, and competitively priced, they are getting devoured. The iPad, iPod, iPhone, all innovative have become trendy status symbols.

    Everything about the company seems smart.

    Parent

    Marketing genius! (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by mexboy on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:07:07 PM EST
    Do you really think they had a glitch?
    Come on, it is a marketing plan. Make a big reveal, get people into a frenzy, then tell them is selling so much they just don't know what to do and have to stop selling the phone. People go into a scarcity mentality and they must have it NOW. It is brilliant.

    OTOH, the phone is great! 720 HD video?  I might upgrade just for that.

    Maybe for an encore... (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by EL seattle on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:26:31 PM EST
    ... they'll send our the highly anticipated announcement for their next release via an exclusive 3AM phone text message.

    Marketing!  Genius!!  Ka-Ching!!!

    Parent

    The difference between... (3.50 / 2) (#56)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:01:13 PM EST
    ...Apple and Android is that Apple is a closed system, controlled by Steve Jobs.  Android is an open system controlled by many.  

    After reading this article:  
    Link
    I have to wonder why anyone who considers themself a liberal would use an IPhone/Pad, etc.
    Every day you use these devices, you're condoning censorship, not only in what apps you can run on your device, but what hardware you can use, what peripherals, which providers.  Steve Jobs is your big brother.  And Steve can yank applications any time he wants (and he's already done this in the case of widgets).

    Once the Android phones are out for a bit longer, and people understand better how Android works, Apple will go the same way it went in the 80's....to a small market share.  Apple will become AOL.  Apple's closed marketing strategy has been proven not to work....However, from what I've read in the past, Steve is about control.  If he were only about selling devices, he would have an open system.

    BTW, I suspect this whole ATT hoopla is astroturfing.  The best way to sell devices is to make people think so many people want them that it's crashing systems....makes the news.  News is advertising.  I'm sure we all know about astroturfing....

    Apple may be like BMW --- if BMW were only allowed to drive on certain roads.  Otherwise, it's more analogous to a go-cart. Drive around and around, have fun, but never get out.

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by squeaky on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:58:47 PM EST
    I have to wonder why anyone who considers themself a liberal would use an IPhone/Pad, etc.

    Must be that they voted for Obama... lol

    I would wonder why anyone who considers themselves a liberal would want to dictate which phone or consumer goods they would buy. Google is a multibillion dollar company that has been charged with scanning peoples computers while photographing for google maps, and storing that illegally obtained material.

    Would I tell people never to get an android phone because Google engages in criminal acts, no. The level of corporate criminality that one decides is worthy of boycott should remain personal.

    Amazing that you would question someones "liberalism" because they use Apple products.

    But then again... not surprising.

    Parent

    Apple Propaganda? (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by squeaky on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:20:28 PM EST
    Or TeresaInSnow2 propaganda?

    As the first major computer company to make Open Source development a key part of its ongoing software strategy, Apple remains committed to the Open Source development model. Major components of Mac OS X, including the UNIX core, are made available under Apple's Open Source license, allowing developers and students to view source code, learn from it and submit suggestions and modifications. In addition, Apple uses software created by the Open Source community, such as the HTML rendering engine for Safari, and returns its enhancements to the community.

    Apple believes that using Open Source methodology makes Mac OS X a more robust, secure operating system, as its core components have been subjected to the crucible of peer review for decades. Any problems found with this software can be immediately identified and fixed by Apple and the Open Source community.

    Apple

    Parent

    Every time I shop in any store (none / 0) (#65)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:48:27 PM EST
    I am condoning the censorship of the shopkeeper. I suspect there are lots of books and magazines I cannot buy at Barnes and Noble based on their censorship, yet I think I can shop there as a liberal.

    Apple chose the strategy long ago of valuing a certain user experience, based on a common user interface, hardware and software reliability, and system security, over market share, believing that the market share at a certain price point will be enough to give them a profitable company. Yes, it is about control of those factors. The balancing act seems to work well enough for them. If it doesn't, I suspect they will change it.

    If I stop liking the product they are selling, I'll stop buying it. Simple. Being a liberal had nothing to do with it.

    Parent

    Yes, that's right (none / 0) (#70)
    by andgarden on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:11:06 PM EST
    NOBODY BUYS IPHONES. NOBODY! LA LA LA LA LA LA

    Parent
    Nobody goes there anymore (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:19:28 PM EST
    it's too crowded.

    Parent
    We get it. You don't like Apple (none / 0) (#74)
    by Joan in VA on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:25:12 PM EST
    or Steve Jobs. You wonder why a liberal would use their products? Here's what I wonder: Did Steve steal your lunch money when you were kids or something?

    Apple's strategy has been proved not to work, except that it does. Yes, they are a huge FAIL, except that they aren't. Most people don't care about open vs. closed-they like intuitive devices that are easy to use. Using a phone is not an endorsement of censorship or an endorsement of freedom from censorship. Every liberal would use Credo Mobile with one of whatever phones they offer if values were a component of carrier choice but it seems that it isn't because they don't. Not sure if they offer the 'Droid but they do offer the Crackberry if that suits your liberal needs.

    Parent

    Lol, you know what? (none / 0) (#75)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:38:50 PM EST
    i'm a good enough liberalmthat in keep my Credo long distance plan on my land line even though I don't need it and mostly just pay the 8.00 bill every month just to keep it active. Could not bear to use one of the mobile phones they offer though....I guess I sold that part of my soul to Steve Jobs.

    Parent
    The most hilarious part (none / 0) (#78)
    by andgarden on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 07:33:14 PM EST
    is that I can remember when Apple people used to sound EXACTLY the same way about Microsoft and Bill Gates.

    I've been using a Mac since before it was cool.

    Parent

    Open vs Closed - I agree (none / 0) (#84)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 01:11:14 AM EST
    Sooner or later the fanboys will tire of paying up for everything, including what can only be the fantastic coincidence of AT&T's rate increases, not to mention the fee for tethering, i.e., for the privilege of using more - and paying for more - bandwidth, just as the videocall capable iPhone makes its debut.

    Parent
    Just ordered the Droid (none / 0) (#1)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 09:09:09 AM EST
    Incredible, due to arrive in about a month.  It will be my first ever smartphone.  A coworker the other day asked me if my current phone was a beeper - I've had it for about 4 years so I am loooong overdue for an upgrade.  I figured, if I'm gonna bite the bullet, might as well go big or go home.

    Really excited.

    I'm due forr my first new cellphone in years (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 09:38:44 AM EST
    when I get home from my time overseas.  The last one lasted me many years -- it made calls, it took calls.  I have a watch if I need to know the time.  I have computers galore for other needs.  So when I dropped my cellphone in a sinkful of water, oops, a few weeks ago, I figured to just wait 'til I get back.

    And over here, where I was handed a cellphone (local to not have to hassle with incompatibilities of U.S. cellphones) as were all students and other faculty in this program, I have become more firmly convinced to resist getting into the cellphone culture upon my return, to resist giving out my number to more than immediate family.  Why?

    Because the fool in charge of putting out the phonelist for the program here screwed it up, with lots of wrong numbers -- and listed my number as the one for the hottest guy student in the group.  So I have been subjected, with the time difference, to not only post-midnight calls from his mother but also from young women here and back home, not only post-midnight but also in predawn hours and every hour in between.   And even when the phonelist was corrected, the careless and thoughtless use of cellphones by these and others continued ("oh, that's right, you told me yesterday that this was a wrong number . . . oh, oops, giggle") and convinced me that they will not get to put me in their power.

    Add those calls to the incredible noise level of this culture, and I can hardly wait to get home for my first good night's sleep in a month -- and home is in a student housing area, the most densely populated area of a major U.S. city!  But it will be peaceful nirvana compared to the noise here, in a supposedly bucolic small town from a medieval time and in a land far away. . . .

    I now have my own theory for the fall of the Roman Empire.  They fell from lack of sleep!  And cellphones would not have made a bit of difference in preventing the Empire's decline but, more likely, would only have accelerated it, adding to exhaustion, frustration, and stress!  

    Parent

    When we moved (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 09:56:35 AM EST
    into retirement the first telephone number was an ex-package store. Best I can tell it had not been out of service but a few weeks before we got it..

    So my sympathy....

    And I too have reached my limit on new toys... and this from a guy who once had a car phone and a cell phone and a (somewhat) portable computer and an office computer and a home computer...

    When the current cell phone dies I think I shall get a pager. Call my home phone and if you miss me and are desperate.... page me. I'll return it at my convenience.

    What a concept. Control of who can tug at you.

    Parent

    I actually agree (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:12:52 AM EST
    with this sentiment a lot in general, the difference being, I've never gone on a toy binge.

    My home laptop was bought used and is devoid of all bells and whistles, still can't get the internet reliably.  I don't even own a house phone, or a car, or a camera.

    So this will kind of be all of those things for me in one small portable package.

    As for control over your life - I highly relate to that.  It drives my friends and family nuts, but by now I have "trained" them to expect that I will not always pick up their calls or return calls right away.  I mean, they might think it's rude, but for me it's required control over my life.  If I'm busy, I'm busy, if I don't want to talk, I won't talk.  I'll get back to you eventually.  So I don't think that will change with this new phone.

    I am excited about the camera/photo sharing capabilities, that's the one thing I've been missing the most.  Plus, I have definitely wanted the google function on the go.  It will be nice not to rely on others for info/directions, etc...

    Parent

    I'm envious! (none / 0) (#22)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:03:01 PM EST
    I wish I had all the control over when I could talk with friends and family.  Unfortunately, I don't.  They're busy too so I sometimes have to speak with them when they are available.  How do you get people to always be available when the time is good for you?  Share your secrets!  

    Parent
    I don't (none / 0) (#28)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:21:17 PM EST
    but I live with it.  And I prefer conversations to happen in person not on the phone.  I use the phone mostly just to make plans, with a few exceptions for people who live far away.  In that case, I live with phone tag.

    If I don't pick up it's because I don't feel like making plans at that moment.

    Parent

    Texting might work for you (none / 0) (#29)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:24:44 PM EST
    Many people find it less intrusive.  I use it, but not as much as my kids.

    Parent
    I text (none / 0) (#51)
    by CST on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:41:52 PM EST
    a bit.  Although I respond to texts about the same way I respond to calls.  And I find calls more usefull for laying down something concrete.

    Also, Mom and Dad have not figured out texting.

    Parent

    Exactly. I am not enamored (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:15:38 AM EST
    of constant -- or even intermittent but unanticipated -- interruptability.

    I learned long ago that the only way for me to get important work done was to have uninterrupted blocs of time.  I had hoped for that, was promised that (including by all the tourist literature), here.  Ha!  Impossible to write.  And what I have managed to read has included a recent spate of studies about how too many people's brains are being rewired to a yen for interruption by too many new modes of communication.

    I look at ancient frescoes and know that they could not have been accomplished between cellphone calls.:-)

    Parent

    Feelin' your sentiments gang... (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:25:41 AM EST
    I often wonder who/what is the tool here.

    I'm holding out till smoke signals make a comeback when it comes to communicators:)

    Though I did break down and buy my first mp3 player and some small semi-portable speakers...got tired of lugging the whole stereo in the yard for yard work and bbqs.

    Parent

    I agree, but................ (none / 0) (#23)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:06:54 PM EST
    What if your kid needs to reach you?  What if she is stranded with a broken down car?  What if you need to reach her because of a family emergency and she follows your lead and gets back to you when it's convenient for her?   I'd love to have full control over when I am on the phone, just haven't figured out quite how to do it.  I haven't yet figured out how to control my kids and friends so they talk to me on MY schedule.  

    Parent
    It's as simple as turning it off... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:06:39 PM EST
    Brasstacks.

    Broken down cars, kids in need of mom and dad...all that stuff predates cell phones and assorted instant communications.

    In a real deal widespread emergency, like say a 9/11...the cellphones didn't work anyway.  You survive.  

    Easy for me to say with no kids:)...but I like to think if I had 'em I'd want them to learn self-reliance and not expect dad to get 'em outta every jam.

    Parent

    Just turn the damn thing off at night! (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:24:52 AM EST
    I wish I could; that was the plan -- (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:07:36 AM EST
    until some very worrisome news from home, where my progeny are proving their maturity in coping with care of two older generations of the family in health crises at once, very serious ones.  They determined that I am not to come home early, but they do need to be able to call (and email) -- and thus the lousy level of communications technology in this country has been a constant problem.

    And thus, I have not dared to turn off the phone at night here, in part due to the time difference, as I want to be reachable at all times but especially their best times to call from the U.S.A., amid their own hectic schedules of work, college classes, internships, and more, with having to cope with health insurance companies (dozens of calls per crisis, mainly to ^&*^$!! telephone menus), social workers, a hospice, a hospital, and now it looks like a laywer -- today's call with them for my advice -- for temporary transfer of power of attorney and power of health care for the 98-year-old in crisis while the 67-year-old in crisis is in surgery, chemo, we don't know what yet. . . .

    And thus, drunken students and others who cannot take the time to look up numbers correctly and/or dial numbers correctly or even look at the clock to realiz how late or early they are calling -- they are not appreciated.:-)

    Parent

    Sorry you're having to deal with all of that (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:13:52 AM EST
    long distance. Hard enough close up.

    Hoping for the best for the CC clan.


    Parent

    Sorry to hear this (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:08:24 PM EST
    Having kids and parents seems to preclude doing everything on our own schedule.  It's hard to do with busy friends too.  I hope that your family is doing better.  That's a tough position that you are all in.  

    Parent
    How "modern" is the phone you have? (none / 0) (#36)
    by BTAL on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:26:04 PM EST
    Does it have the capability to assign specific ring tones to phonebook entries?

    If so, put all your family in the address book and assign a ring tone.  For all others, set your default ring tone to vibrate or silent.

    Then get a good nights sleep.

    Parent

    Only one week left (none / 0) (#63)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:31:03 PM EST
    so not worth the work to do so.

    Next time, I'll know to do so from the first -- or, as I said, buy my own phone and just have students email me.  And I'll tell them I'm grading their writing on email.  That ought to keep down the communiques to only the necessities. :-)

    Parent

    I would be very tempted to rent (none / 0) (#57)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:05:17 PM EST
    or buy my own phone and alert all I wanted to contact me of that phone no.  Then get rid of the other one.

    Parent
    As noted above, only a week left (none / 0) (#64)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:35:54 PM EST
    and what you have to go through to get a cellphone here, you would not believe.  So backward in technology in every way.

    Don't even ask about the toilets!  Okay, you didn't ask . . . but everywhere I have been, there is evidence that a good plumber could make a fortune here.  Or perhaps not, as apparently Italians do not pay a lot for water or just do not care that every single toilet I have, um, experienced here runs and runs and runs.  They must have the worst valve manufacturers in the world . . . along wiht the worst muffler manufacturers in the world, with the sounds of their cars.

    Amazingly, in the current housing, where we have tried all sorts of fixes to get the gushing to stop, we finally figured out that lifting the toilet seats does so.  Weird. . . .

    Of course, that is because we are so upscale that we have a toilet seat. :-)

    Parent

    I suspect you are ready for the (none / 0) (#66)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:52:43 PM EST
    Middle East--say, Turkey.  

    Parent
    Ohhhh noes. Right now (none / 0) (#76)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 05:40:17 PM EST
    we are talking about whether to trek overseas again next year, about all that we have learned that we need to bring (because so much that is promised here and elsewhere simply is not here, after all, from the internet to a washing machine to weekly cleaning to basics in the pantry like salt and pepper . . . so my supposed writing time is much taken up by hours spent trying to find out when the phone store's internet service person just might be there to sell a 3G connector, by treks to the laundromat, by treks up and down grocery aisles with my handy Rick Steve's translating guidebook, etc).

    It would be a lot easier if we could count on just being able to bring what we need for such long stays.  But these days, with airplane baggage charges, it's nigh impossible.  We managed, with our handy luggage scale, to get our suitcases down to one apiece and under 50 pounds, but it took work.  However, we also had to haul huge amounts of computers and peripherals and such, and those went over at a cost of many hundreds of dollars -- paid by the program, not us, but still . . . airports also are not well set up for that, when carts cannot be taken on shuttles.  And then there are the priceless dirty looks from those poor, beleaguered airline staffers who actually have to provide service and pick up suitcases, the poor thangs.:-)

    And by next year, word is that baggage charges will be higher, and even will be on all baggage.  Travel is being made so unpleasant!  And then there are more stories in my ongoing saga with Homeland Security. . . .

    Parent

    ONe suitcase, which will fit in the overhead (none / 0) (#80)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 07:35:29 PM EST
    if necessary/person.  Aqnd allowable carryons.  Soooo much easier.  I know what you mean re grocery store, though.  See me in Kyoto!

    Parent
    You haven't seen the miniscule overheads (none / 0) (#85)
    by Cream City on Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 05:53:19 AM EST
    on a lot of planes lately!  That's what I usually do, though, although the bag sometimes ends up under the seat, cramping leg room even more, with how small overheads are becoming these days.

    However, there was no way one such-sized bag would have worked for this monthlong trip, as I had to bring a lot of work with me -- as well as, y'know, underwear and such stuff. :-)

    Parent

    My sentiments exactly re cellphones... (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by vml68 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:25:08 AM EST
    The last one lasted me many years -- it made calls, it took calls.

    My current phone is six years old with teeth marks on the case and a crack in the screen thanks to my pup. My friends and family are embarassed for me... :-)

    For the last 3 years I have been getting 2-3 calls a day from banks, CC companies and collection agencies looking for a "Marjorie Wright". The first few months I actually wasted my time talking to them, trying to convince them they had the wrong number. Now I just keep my phone shut off unless I need to make a call.

    Parent

    I have the same problem (none / 0) (#26)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:10:31 PM EST
    Someone with two unpronounceable foreign names has lots of bill collectors after him/her and they all seem to have my phone number.  I told them a couple of times that they had the wrong number, now I just delete the calls.  

    Parent
    Tell them she's dead. Might work (none / 0) (#54)
    by DFLer on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:48:51 PM EST
    I invoked the provisions of federal (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:06:34 PM EST
    law after repeated credit card calls--not my card.  Call was at 5 a.m. my time, which violates the law.  Never heard another word.

    Parent
    I think of my iphone as a computer (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:49:20 AM EST
    with a phone app, and the phone app is the least used on the thing. I rarely answer calls live, and never from a number that is not in my address book.  I'm like CST - my friends and family know they will probably get the voicemail and I will call back when I can. If they really need me to call back soon, they say so.

    I don't have kids though, so I have a high threshold for what I consider an emergency!

    Parent

    I would have put the phone (none / 0) (#11)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:53:19 AM EST
    in the "fools" room at night and let him or her deal with the wrong numbers!

    Parent
    Ha. See reply above re why I cannot do (none / 0) (#13)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:11:34 AM EST
    that, plus there is no central lodging place; in a small town, we are sprawled across it in a piece of a crumbling medieval palazzo here, a corner of a crumbling former medieval mercado (market) there. . . .

    And the number of fools who cannot take the time to dial correctly now is legion.  Next time, if there is a next time, I buy my own local phone.  And nobody under 50 gets my phone number. :-)

    Parent

    Saw it (none / 0) (#15)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:15:26 AM EST
    Seems like you are maintaining your sense of humor through it all. Hope you can enjoy Italy in between interruptions!

    Parent
    Ah, well. The love of things crumbling (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:31:13 AM EST
    and moldy here is legion as well -- including great cheese, which has kept me going.  The local gorgonzola with the local red pears is a great combo, especially as the local love of charcuterie has made me nearly a vegetarian again . . . with the site of cloven hooves at the end of charred remains of a hog haunch, all only a few feet from my tabla, may have put me off my formerly beloved prosciutto for a while. :-)

    And the local pecorino?  Amazing, and now I have to hope to find it at home -- along with such good organic eggs.  Together, a terrific frittata aka omelet, the meal of choice and of default, with  stovetop cooking the only option, i.e., no oven.

    Also enjoying the local buffalo mozzarella with the local pomodoro aka tomatoes in my always-fave caprese salads, once I found the olive oil I needed (not a bitter one, of which there are surprisingly many) among the many choices of oils here.  And instead of balsamic vinegar for it, I found by happenstance a sort of balsamic syrup that is wonderful, another ingredient I will attempt to find at home in my local, little, Italian family groceries.

    And the gelato never crumbles! much as it may melt in the heat here. (But thank heavens for the heat, as the first week was absolutely freezing, especially in ancient stone buildings with stone floors and no, nada, rugs for the likes of us:-).  We walk to a gelataria about half of the nights, those when it is not freezing or raining. I only wish that we had a freezer, as then we could have some other nights as well, bringing home from the mercado some of the most beautiful packaging of food I've seen.  It's not in boxes or the like, as is ice cream in the U.S.  The gelato is in clear plastic containers that show off the artistry as well as the culinary ability of the makers, with the swirling of different colors, the designs of the fruit, etc.  It would be too beautiful to eat, but it's gelato, so it would be consumed in record time. :-)

    Parent

    Oh, man ... I can't read this stuff ... (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Yman on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 04:53:51 PM EST
    ... before dinner ....

    (stomach rumbling).

    Parent

    That sounds heavenly! (none / 0) (#27)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 01:12:53 PM EST
    I do love Italian food but always miss AC and/or heat.  And ICE!  I do love ice too!  

    Parent
    Yes, the humidity (none / 0) (#77)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 06:14:28 PM EST
    makes me very much miss AC.  And the humidity adds even more to the mold and mildew of centuries in these revered, ancient buildings -- and every bit of furniture in them, I swear; this desk I'm working at now almost makes me real -- all making me very glad that I remembered to bring allergy pills.

    I already have realized that my hope of bringing my progeny here next time probably would not be good for one of them, who has even more sensitivity to mold.  This would be the seventh level of h*ll for him.  For me, it's only about the fourth level, and mainly in the mornings, until the pill kicks in . . . and after at least half a dozen kleenex as my head attempts to clear itself for another day!

    Parent

    DH has the Incredible (none / 0) (#21)
    by BrassTacks on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 12:59:03 PM EST
    He got it during that very brief window when it was available at the beginning of May.  It's awesome.  You will love it.  

    I am wondering why there is no thread here about Obama's speech last night.  Was it that bad?  I've read mixed reviews.  

    Parent

    Check the thread from last night (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:19:29 PM EST
    Maybe we considered the World Cup thread an open thread, if there was not one called 'open thread'.

    Parent
    It is in the Tuesday Afternoon Open thread (none / 0) (#35)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:22:58 PM EST
    Glad I skipped this upgrade (none / 0) (#10)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:51:23 AM EST
    I do have two coworkers who ordered without incident, other than slow servers.

    Statement by Apple on iPhone 4 Pre-Orders: (none / 0) (#17)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 11:31:55 AM EST
    "Yesterday Apple and its carrier partners took pre-orders for more than 600,000 of Apple's new iPhone 4. It was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day and was far higher than we anticipated, resulting in many order and approval system malfunctions. Many customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration. We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again or visit an Apple or carrier store once the iPhone 4 is in stock."

    http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/06/16iphone.html

    The ATT deal to reduce early termination (none / 0) (#19)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 12:35:52 PM EST
    fees might have had a bigger influence than anticipated. I know my coworker and I were not even considering the new phone until they announced that, since we are only a year into or ATT contract. Basically they pulled a lot of the demand in 6 months earlier.

    Parent
    iPhones (none / 0) (#37)
    by Natal on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 02:26:53 PM EST
    to be unlocked in Canada in July. link

    Different kind of phone question (none / 0) (#45)
    by observed on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 03:00:54 PM EST
    Does anyone know how to reach a human on Sprint's help line? I think it's impossible.
    I just bought a Boostmobile phone. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that Sprint was the provider, otherwise I never would have signed up.
    Now I have  a problem, and of course, it's impossible to get help.
    I paid my bill online---twice---and was told the transaction failed (the second time was because I assumed I had misentered my CCN).
    I contacted my bank and found that Sprint had taken money both times---but without crediting my account. Now, I hear it can take a few hours for payments to process, but it's unconscionable to say payment was declined and take the money! In fact, it's probably a crime.

    I am so mad I was thinking about terrorism.


    I don't know (none / 0) (#82)
    by NYShooter on Wed Jun 16, 2010 at 10:02:05 PM EST
    about the "liberal" thing, but the Jobs censorship thing is a problem.

    I wsn't really paying close attention, but the other night, on Charlie Rose, they were discussing Job's fetish regarding content, especially that which he considers pornographic. One of the guests named some titles that Jobs had prohibited and it turns out they were classics, best sellers, and some, Nobel prize winners. It seems the volume of prohibitions are much larger than just a couple that earned his ire. The classics that were struck apparently were mistakes, just caught up in a sweep.

    Like I said, I was only listening with one ear; I wish I could give specifics, but I can't.