Random Technology Blogs (4)

Maybe you are like me and have a long list of things that really piss you off. I'll start with websites returning a 404 message. Comcast is my internet provider and this week, they sent out a new gateway/router with minimal instructions that required me to download their app on my phone to set the unit up. I don't want to use my phone and was looking for a way to do this via desktop computer. Calling customer service is a process because they are resistant to allow me to speak to a person. Their system is designed to be fully automated, which is okay if you only need one of the 5 problems listed in their menu system.

I wasn't getting anywhere because my request wasn't in their menu and (stupidly) accepted instructions by text. That wasn't any better. I called back and waited for live assistance. It sounded like the woman had a dog and baby in the background... probably working remote. She explained I could go to their website and make the selection 'activate' that will give me the necessary details to setup the new equipment by desktop computer. That's when I received a 404 message.


Okay, I'll try this YOUR WAY and downloaded the app, but it was asking all kinds of bullshit questions like alternate phone numbers and email addresses. Just get me to the setup page! Well... that didn't happen.

I read about Tourette syndrome and guess an episode was beginning to take hold of me. Thinking of a logical way out... the gateway I've been using wasn't broken, so I didn't see a need to switch to a new one that could require me to setup passcodes of all of the 16 devises in my house. I dropped the new gateway in the shipping carton and went back to work.

Always expected... there's a survey after the call to customer service that I'm known to ignore. This time, I actually went through the process, trying not to use profanity when filling out the 'other' selection that gave me the opportunity to actually type in a 404 message ended my desire to install the equipment. The old gateway wasn't broken and there wasn't any need to fix it.

My guess is I'll get an email followup about the setup.

Maybe I should switch from cable at $90 a month to wireless 5G home internet from my cellular provider at $60 a month. That sounds tempting.

In the mean time, I'll be thinking of more things that reallypissme off...

With all the phones, tablets, laptops and computers I go through, I should be used to upgrades/changes by now. Last week, I took delivery on the Samsung S24 Ultra with 1 terabyte of memory. It's their flagship model that boasts a 200 megapixel camera.

Using Samsung Smart Switch app, I backed up the old phone to my computer.
The new phone came with a double end USB-C connector for direct transfer phone to phone which s faster than using Wi-Fi. Smart Switch is resident on both phones but it took a few tries to connect.

Nearly everything transferred and all the the apps and screen settings are identical. Passwords didn't sync and I had to setup Google, Gmail, Samsung, WhatsApp and Signal again. I lost my most cherished app called Gesture Search. Someone else is making a version of Gesture Search that is no better than a first year computer programming homework assignment. Hopefully, they will listen to the user comments and make an update worthy of calling it Gesture Search.

I'm estimating nearly 2 days lost for research to set the phone up where it actually functions to my liking. A handful of calls to T-Mobile support and so many calls to Samsung customer care and technical support I lost track. I had a 'needed to fix' list or the phone goes back to Samsung and I get a refund.
Some features are no longer supported so I have to do a 'work around' to get what I want.
Notifications both visual and sound are nearly there. I would have preferred to see a flashing indicator or flag to let me know there are unread messages or emails.
The phone will give a reminder beep after 3 minutes and briefly vibrate when I pick up the phone. Always on display is the cure, but that eats into battery time.
Most of my text messages are converted using the microphone... Well, they were on my old phone, but the icon wasn't on the top row of the keyboard as expected. A call to Samsung and I was told the microphone is no longer supported. WTF? microphone not supported.
They had me download and install Gboard which is Google's keyboard app. It worked fine and quick, but the top row with numbers (found on the default Samsung keyboard) required a function key and extra keystrokes to achieve the same results... just like my BlackBerry phone 20 years ago!

Not accepting the Samsung Tech Support solution, I reverted back the the Samsung keyboard. An internet search revealed, you can toggle the microphone on and off via a separate menu. It now appears on the lower corner and not along the top row of commands like the previous 4 cellphones did.

Now for the camera that cannot default to low resolution images. I guess Samsung thinks it's beneath the S24 Ultra and forces them to only shoot high-res images.
Images were distorted and out of proportion. I reset the phone settings to default, rebooted the phone and most of the camera aspect issues went away. Photos sent by text messages are large, but the file size is manageable. Probably 2.5 times larger than my old phone.
The phone has a serious problem with images appearing like a fisheye lens. Vertical lines appeared curved, especially noticeable when looking at buildings or geometric objects having straight lines. I downloaded Samsung's Camera Assistant that has a setting to cure that. I'll test it tomorrow when I'm out on appointments.

While my experience and product review with this phone has been mostly negative, the speed of functions and menus is amazingly fast. It does automatic translation when texting. A very powerful feature.
I'm holding the screen resolution at it's lowest setting of HD+ 1560 x 720. maybe later I'll experiment with the QHD+ 3120 x 1440.
All the drawbacks to using anything more than the basic settings is reduced battery time. I'll have to test it with lots of use, calls, photos, GPS and see if I need to activate battery saver.
(note to self: phone doesn't come close to rated battery life)

Cellphone hell...

I'm rounding the bend with my recent episode of cellphone hell. Most of the issues with my new phone have been eliminated with setting changes and installation of apps that helped fix problems the phone didn't do in it's stock setup.

One concession I made was to select the 'always on' screen because there weren't any visual indicators when the screen was turned off. My two previous models had a blinking light reminder when mail or unread texts were waiting.

This is my first phone to have 5G service and that's no additional charge from my carrier.

Maybe you can recall all the negativity issues people said about 5G, like no signal in buildings, the systems were made in China and capturing all your personal data and the most significant... 5G will burn your eyes in their sockets.

I'm due for an eye exam (and oil change in my car) so probably next week, I'll make an appointment... for both.

I'll report back here should the eye doctor find unusual retina damage.

I have an added feature with my phone carrier to notify me of potential spam calls and an enhanced blocking feature. For some reason my good friend John gets added to the blocked list. Several calls to tech support gets him removed and minutes later... he's back to being blocked!

My call was transferred from the carrier to Samsung's tech support where I installed an app allowing them to do diagnostics remotely on my phone. They couldn't find John on the blocked caller list so it must be a glitch. According to Samsung, the cure was to go back to the carrier and get a new SIM card.

A second after I entered the store, the salesman asked if he could help. I explained my friend keeps getting blocked on my phone and that Samsung said I need a new SIM card.

Immediately I detected an attitude... he said that wasn't the problem and that I needed to buy a new phone. After we went through the identification verification, he got the tool to remove the SIM and I said "The phone is still on!"
That didn't stop him from removing the SIM and inserting a new one while the phone was powered up.

Flipping screens on my phone and his tablet to enter the new number scanned from the card holder, he was back and forth a few times removing and reinstalling the SIM. All attempts were unsuccessful as the phone reported no SIM installed, when one was in the phone. He removed it again and installed the old SIM and got the same message.

At that point... he told me my phone was broken. I asked his name, SNATCHED MY PHONE FROM HIS HAND, said "Have a nice day" and walked out of the store.

Ya think I was pissed?

There's another store 5 miles away, so I went there.

Explaining the salesman (at the first store) 'hot swapped' the SIM on my phone. The new guy knew exactly what I was talking about. He scanned the card, installed a new SIM, powered up the phone and all was well.



I cannot recall how many times my phones have had SIM card changes in the last 25 years and EVERY time it was done with the phone turned off.

Basically, removing the SIM while the phone was on, damaged it, installing a new SIM while the phone was on, damaged it too.

John isn't on my blocked list anymore.

I'm happy that the issue was only with the SIM cards and thankful that it didn't damage my phone or the SD memory that shares the same tray.

Not rocket science...