Before you buy an iPhone from Virgin Mobile, read this
Back in March, having decided that Android wasn't for me, I decided to buy an iPhone 5S from Virgin Mobile. The deal was too good to pass up: 30 percent off the phone itself and $30 per month for service -- no contract required. ("Too good" here means relative to other deals. Was the iPhone cheap? Hardly. Was it the cheapest possible way to get the model I wanted? Definitely.)The 5S itself has been great (especially compared with the 4S it replaced), and Virgin's Sprint-powered coverage has been, let's just say good enough.However, last week I dropped the phone, busting its screen (sob). My attempt to replace it myself was unsuccessful, so I decided to pony up the dough (double-sob) for an Apple Store repair. (Had this been a warranty claim, that would have been my destination as well: Apple handles all service issues for iPhones purchased from Virgin Mobile.)So I made an appointment, took the iPhone in, and got a replacement. (Apple Stores don't currently do screen repairs for the 5S, so what happens is they swap your whole phone -- same as if, say, your Wi-Fi stopped working.)That's when the trouble started.They should call it Virgin NobileVirgin MobileIn a nutshell, my Genius Bar Genius (who, I just have to say, really needed a shower) couldn't get the replacement phone activated. I'll spare you the blow-by-blow, but after a full hour of trying this and that, he got on the phone with Virgin and was told that activation was "locked." It would take 24 hours to complete the process.Nearly as exasperated as I was, he handed me the phone, said, "Good luck," and sent me on my way.That was disappointing, to say the least, but it was only the beginning. After 24 hours, my phone still hadn't been activated. I called Virgin (and reached a live, admirably apologetic human almost immediately) and was told that the Apple Store had done it wrong: They'd registered the iPhone with Sprint, not Virgin Mobile, and there was no way to switch it over. I'd have to go back to the store.Aggravating though this was, it helped explain the previous day's problems. Every time the "Genius" plugged the phone into a Mac, iTunes popped up a Sprint activation screen (one that wouldn't accept my VM number and password).The second visit seemed to go smoother. I explained what had happened, and the guy helping me grabbed the store's resident Virgin Mobile expert (self-proclaimed). They swapped the "locked" iPhone for another replacement, and this time the guy vanished to the back with it, promising to go right through to Virgin's "tier 3" support so it would get activated right away.After 35 seemingly endless minutes, he returned. This time: "It's all set, but just needs to link up with the local towers. Should be good to go within two hours."Second verse, different than the firstThat was around 5 p.m. I gave it till the next morning. Although the iPhone was activated, it wasn't getting service. I called Virgin Mobile again, and again reached someone right away. Here's where it gets even more interesting.Once again I was told that the phone was tied to Sprint, and needed to be registered with Virgin Mobile. However, this courteous and apologetic rep told me they could make the switch at their end. (Note the disparity: I'm not sure which side got it wrong the first time, Apple or Virgin.) The process would take 2 to 4 hours, after which I'd receive a call back.I waited five hours -- no call. So I called Virgin again. Got right through, apologies all around, and this time was told that the serial-number transfer was complete -- now they just needed to make a few more changes at their end. They kept me on the line all of five minutes, had me punch in a couple numbers on the dial pad, and presto! I had service.Why do you hate me, universe?It was a vexing couple days, but other than wasting a few hours, no major harm done. The price you pay for saving money, right?Turns out the replacement iPhone (my third, if you're keeping score) is defective. The rear camera doesn't work, and I can't hear callers through the earpiece. So it's back to the Apple Store, and I get to go through all of this yet again.What's the takeaway here? Several thoughts:My local Apple Store may not be too swift when it comes to dealing with Virgin Mobile, but everyone I've dealt with his been very friendly. It's still the model of retail customer service, in my opinion.Virgin Mobile may not be too swift when it comes to transferring your service from one iPhone to another, but the company has excellent customer reps. They speak in slightly accented English, but they're polite, apologetic, and seemingly very eager to help. And I never waited on hold, not once. (This was also true with a previous experience a couple months back.)If you buy an iPhone from Virgin Mobile and need to have it replaced for some reason, expect hassles and delays. As a couple different Apple Store geniuses told me, when they swap a phone on, say, AT&T or Verizon, it takes mere minutes. Couldn't be easier. With Virgin, it's a slow and, obviously, often aggravating process.Would all this stop me from buying another phone from Virgin? No, because despite all the headaches, the everyday experience is fine -- and much less expensive than with most other carriers. I sure do dread the idea of ever having to swap phones again, though.By the way, if you need to reach Virgin Mobile phone support for an activation issue, call 888-322-1122, enter your mobile phone number when prompted, then press 4, then 2, then 2 again. That's the fastest way to a live human.Have you ever had to replace a Virgin Mobile iPhone? If so, hit the comments to describe your experience with both that company and Apple. I'm curious to know if anyone had an easier (or harder) time.
Paul McCartney releases five albums as extra-packed apps
Paul McCartney releases five albums as extra-packed apps
Paul McCartney has released five of his earliest post-Beatles albums as bonus-packed apps, complete with a look behind-the-scenes of the LPS recorded on his own and with Wings.The former Beatle and proponent of the thumbs-up has released "Band on the Run", "McCartney", "McCartney II", "Ram", and "Wings Over America" as iPad apps packed with extras.The apps include all the original artwork, interviews with Paul and other band members, a history of each album, and rare behind-the-scenes photos and videos taken by those who were there including Clive Arrowsmith and McCartney's wife Linda. iTunesBy buying the albums in app form from the App Store, you're also saving yourself a few quid: the apps are £5.49, while the remastered albums in iTunes range in price from £7.99 to £10.99. If you already have any of the albums in audio form you can select and play it within iTunes and then return to the app with the music still playing in the background.Albums that are also appsBjork's Biophilia is the first app in MoMA's collectionJay-Z Magna Carta Holy Grail lands today for Samsung Galaxy ownersBrian Eno and Karl Hyde: How many shapes can dance on a record?The Beatles remasteredBeatles on iTunes: Goo-goo g'JobsChristopher Lee launches new epic metal albumThe apps include Macca's first solo album, "McCartney", released in 1970 after the Beatles split up, and his second LP, "Ram", recorded with Linda and released the following year.From the back catalogue of Wings, the band he formed with Linda and a revolving line-up of other musicians, comes 1973's "Band on the Run." The app includes behind-the-scenes videos of the cover shot featuring legendary actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee as well as British chat show host Michael Parkinson. Also recorded under the auspices of Wings -- memorably hailed by Alan Partridge as "Only the band the Beatles could have been" -- is live triple album "Wings Over America" recorded during the band's 1976 tour.The line-up is rounded out by Macca's second solo album "McCartney II", released in 1980. For a long time the surviving Beatles held out from making their music available in digital form. Aside from odd experiments like a £200 apple-shaped USB stick and a Fab Four-focused 2009 spin-off from video game "Rock Band", if you wanted the Beatles on your iPod you had to buy a CD and rip it. The mop-topped 60s stars finally came to iTunes in 2010, which remains the only online outlet for the band's back catalogue.Some of McCartney's later work, including "Band on the Run", is available online from services such as Spotify.The redoubtable Macca is still playing live, having resumed his "Out There" tour in New York this month following postponement because of illness.
Paul McCartney has released five of his earliest post-Beatles albums as bonus-packed apps, complete with a look behind-the-scenes of the LPS recorded on his own and with Wings.The former Beatle and proponent of the thumbs-up has released "Band on the Run", "McCartney", "McCartney II", "Ram", and "Wings Over America" as iPad apps packed with extras.The apps include all the original artwork, interviews with Paul and other band members, a history of each album, and rare behind-the-scenes photos and videos taken by those who were there including Clive Arrowsmith and McCartney's wife Linda. iTunesBy buying the albums in app form from the App Store, you're also saving yourself a few quid: the apps are £5.49, while the remastered albums in iTunes range in price from £7.99 to £10.99. If you already have any of the albums in audio form you can select and play it within iTunes and then return to the app with the music still playing in the background.Albums that are also appsBjork's Biophilia is the first app in MoMA's collectionJay-Z Magna Carta Holy Grail lands today for Samsung Galaxy ownersBrian Eno and Karl Hyde: How many shapes can dance on a record?The Beatles remasteredBeatles on iTunes: Goo-goo g'JobsChristopher Lee launches new epic metal albumThe apps include Macca's first solo album, "McCartney", released in 1970 after the Beatles split up, and his second LP, "Ram", recorded with Linda and released the following year.From the back catalogue of Wings, the band he formed with Linda and a revolving line-up of other musicians, comes 1973's "Band on the Run." The app includes behind-the-scenes videos of the cover shot featuring legendary actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee as well as British chat show host Michael Parkinson. Also recorded under the auspices of Wings -- memorably hailed by Alan Partridge as "Only the band the Beatles could have been" -- is live triple album "Wings Over America" recorded during the band's 1976 tour.The line-up is rounded out by Macca's second solo album "McCartney II", released in 1980. For a long time the surviving Beatles held out from making their music available in digital form. Aside from odd experiments like a £200 apple-shaped USB stick and a Fab Four-focused 2009 spin-off from video game "Rock Band", if you wanted the Beatles on your iPod you had to buy a CD and rip it. The mop-topped 60s stars finally came to iTunes in 2010, which remains the only online outlet for the band's back catalogue.Some of McCartney's later work, including "Band on the Run", is available online from services such as Spotify.The redoubtable Macca is still playing live, having resumed his "Out There" tour in New York this month following postponement because of illness.
Cyber Security Alliance chief- We're all connected (podcast)
Cyber Security Alliance chief: We're all connected (podcast)
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month -- a time when the tech industry, government, businesses, and consumers focus on staying safe online.I admit that there are lots of of days, weeks, and months on the calendar to recognize just about anything laudable, but October is as good a time as any to put some thought into how we can keep the Internet more secure. Whether it's government and large companies fending off major hack attacks from nation states or individuals protecting their devices against malicious software, we can all do something, starting with securing our own networks and devices.Do you have a PIN to keep unauthorized people from using your mobile phone or tablet?How strong are your passwords? If you're using "password" or the name of your dog, you might want to take a look at these "Tips for Strong, Secure Passwords" that I posted on ConnectSafely.org, the nonprofit Internet safety organization where I serve as co-director. Parents' guide to cybersecurityAnd what about devices at home?In observance of Cyber Security Awareness Month, ConnectSafely just posted "A Parents' Guide to Cybersecurity" (PDF) to help families with kids be sure that everyoneis doing what they can. As it says in the free booklet, "Security is one of those topics that are pretty easy to talk with kids about, because, just like adults, they don't want to be exploited, tricked or ripped off either."Stop, Think, ConnectNCSA Executive Director Michael KaiserNational Cyber Security AllianceIn an interview (scroll down to listen), National Cyber Security Alliance Executive Director Michael Kaiser said that his organization's ongoing theme, "Stop Think Connect," is a "simple way for people to stay safe and secure online." He suggested that people "stop and make sure you've taken the safety security precautions you should have, think about the consequences of your actions and behaviors to protect you against phishing or posting inappropriate content, and connect and enjoy the Internet."Kaiser acknowledged that there's no such thing as perfect security -- "perfection is probably not the goal at the end of the day" -- but that's true in other aspects of life. "We haven't prevented all car accidents." While he said we shouldn't strive for perfection, "we should strive for some baseline understanding and action by everyone because it does make people safer even if it's not perfect."Some of the security precautions Kaiser suggests include updating your operating system, browser, and other software; use long, strong, and unique passwords; use anti-malware software; use PINs or fingerprints for mobile devices; and "be thoughtful about what we post about each other, where we are, and where we're going."For more, click below to listen to this 10-minute audio interview: Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month -- a time when the tech industry, government, businesses, and consumers focus on staying safe online.I admit that there are lots of of days, weeks, and months on the calendar to recognize just about anything laudable, but October is as good a time as any to put some thought into how we can keep the Internet more secure. Whether it's government and large companies fending off major hack attacks from nation states or individuals protecting their devices against malicious software, we can all do something, starting with securing our own networks and devices.Do you have a PIN to keep unauthorized people from using your mobile phone or tablet?How strong are your passwords? If you're using "password" or the name of your dog, you might want to take a look at these "Tips for Strong, Secure Passwords" that I posted on ConnectSafely.org, the nonprofit Internet safety organization where I serve as co-director. Parents' guide to cybersecurityAnd what about devices at home?In observance of Cyber Security Awareness Month, ConnectSafely just posted "A Parents' Guide to Cybersecurity" (PDF) to help families with kids be sure that everyoneis doing what they can. As it says in the free booklet, "Security is one of those topics that are pretty easy to talk with kids about, because, just like adults, they don't want to be exploited, tricked or ripped off either."Stop, Think, ConnectNCSA Executive Director Michael KaiserNational Cyber Security AllianceIn an interview (scroll down to listen), National Cyber Security Alliance Executive Director Michael Kaiser said that his organization's ongoing theme, "Stop Think Connect," is a "simple way for people to stay safe and secure online." He suggested that people "stop and make sure you've taken the safety security precautions you should have, think about the consequences of your actions and behaviors to protect you against phishing or posting inappropriate content, and connect and enjoy the Internet."Kaiser acknowledged that there's no such thing as perfect security -- "perfection is probably not the goal at the end of the day" -- but that's true in other aspects of life. "We haven't prevented all car accidents." While he said we shouldn't strive for perfection, "we should strive for some baseline understanding and action by everyone because it does make people safer even if it's not perfect."Some of the security precautions Kaiser suggests include updating your operating system, browser, and other software; use long, strong, and unique passwords; use anti-malware software; use PINs or fingerprints for mobile devices; and "be thoughtful about what we post about each other, where we are, and where we're going."For more, click below to listen to this 10-minute audio interview: Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
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