8900 KINDLY POST ALL NEW INFO/QUESTIONS HERE one thread please.

[soupy]

Originally posted by: RaiderDoug
Someone already beat me to the punch. In my area, VZW issued a directive to all channels to temporarily halt sales of the 8900 due to software glitches.

It has only been out 4 days. Many issues have been identified, and sales have been halted within the first week. Do you really want this phone 2 years?

This is not a Toshiba-Audiovox phone. The quality will be inferior. We should all learn from past experience!

Let's face it, nothing's perfect.. My only measure of a good product is how well does the company respond to problems. While I agree that the 8900 being pulled from shelves makes me nervous about buying it, I will still consider it based on how quickly 'Vox responded and is attempting to fix the glitchs.

When it comes down to it, I want a phone that doesn't drop calls. The camera and other features are nice toys, and they need to work, but if they aren't high quality I'm not surprised. So far even the people who don't recommend the phone seem to say the reception is fairly good, so if 'Vox can fix the bugs this one's staying on my list (assuming it ever comes back to the stores [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] )


my $.02

[Drcellular]

Not Perfect they put a stop sell on it today!!!!!

[fastharry]

I'm taking mine back..........not only the picture issue.....but all the things I listed....(speakerphone volume,banner,answer key,AUTO REDIAL,.....AND...the most assanine procedure for launching picture messages I've ever seen)...


verizon has an upset customer on their hands..........

Whats amazing to me is, you go to any other carrier and they have a GREAT selection of phones..

All I've heard from verizon reps all day is their coverage is great.......HEY...They take all this time to intro a camera speaker phone..........And it has MORE stories that Hans Christian Anderson...

they ought to be embarrassed...

[MIkeP]

Originally posted by: NYCDru

UPDATE
I talked to a tech, who got hos boss on the ohone, and then that guy got his boss on the phone.

1.) I am keeping my phone and I have been assured I have nothing to worry about.

2.) The issue is peeople who are porting into Verizon who are getting the phone. They are having major glitches suposedly. He said he loves the phone and they are going to get it fixed because alot of people there feel it is the best handset they have and they REALY!!! want it in the lineup.

3.) I FREAKIN LOVE THIS PHONE. More on that later.

NYCDru….I'm with you… I like this phone alot! Yes, its not perfect, but what cell phone is perfect. I have had this phone since Friday the 12th and I have not had a problem. I can send and receive picture mail without a problem and everything else on the phone works great too. Thus far, there is nothing on this phone that annoys me or I think is quirky.

I called Verizon this morning and they said that the bugs are only affecting users that have ported over to Verizon from other carriers.

[fastharry]

I've been a verizon customer from day one......

My phone's features aren't working properly.....I have different software in mine than verizon techs have in theirs...Porting may be the issue with the camera sending....but now with the phone software...

let me ask you?.....is your greeting working?.....Hwo about when you activate the speaker?....mine sometimes comes on at loud volume(setting 5,which is where I have it)..and sometimes low..so I have to tap the side button..and sometimes when I do that,the caller volume comes on..even though speaker is engaged...

Try hitting the contacts button.........then hit menu,and then hit send pix mesg.....how exactly can you get a picture up to send?.....no way the techs can figure out....You can go to picture's and get a phone #..but you cant go to the #'s and get a picture..even though the menu allows that option..

I'm not happy paying 200 for a phone.....and having to live with quirkiness because I have a good RF signal......I got news for you...Thats why your on verizon network.....a good signal is what you're paying for monthly........

"can you hear me now?".....

[RaiderDoug]

OK. Some people are suspect of this phone. Some people are not. Let's face it, it has only been out 5 days now, so no one really knows how well it will hold up. But really, in the past history of phones, none of the Hyundai manufactured phones has been anything special. If you want it, buy it as soon as they re-release it for sale.

Just please do not come to my store, and cuss me out in 6 months if it turns out to be a piece of junk if you bought it after hearing all the potential problems.

Yes, all phones have problems. But not all get pulled 4 days into their run. And not many have as poor a history as Hyundai phones.

I really do hope those of you who bought it enjoy it. It does look like a nice phone.

[orioles150]

my 8600 has had no real problems, there are a few software annoyances that I have noticed, but honestly i think its a pretty good phone. People keep talking about how Hyundai stinks and dont buy their phones; reputations cant be held onto to tightly in the technology world. The 8900 is pulled because of one major problem its having with number portability, that doesnt mean its a horrible phone it just means that it has had one big problem that they didnt forsee.

[soupy]

I don't understand how portability has anything to do with the phone. The request is submitted by the incomming carrier (in this case VZW) and the number is released by the outgoing carrier (in my case sprint), all of which is independent of the new phone. Once the Port Out is complete, All VZW needs to do is program the Ported number into the new unit.. This process should be just like programming ANY number into the phone, and therefor the 8900 should have a problem accepting any number, not just ported numbers. Are the phones programmed with both the MIN and MDN? In that case I could see where if the 8900 doesn't accept the MDN then it won't display the correct number.. but otherwise I'm lost..

Anyone know?

[AnthroMatt]

The porting process a bit more complex then just releasing a number and the new carrier assigning your old number to yor new phone. The number is sent by the old carrier to a clearinghouse, where the new carrier picks up the number.

This is posted in another thread and explains a little more of the complexities of porting a number:

There are actually two third parties involved, one third party acts as a go between between the wireless carriers to coordinate and validate the transfer of ported numbers. Then once the transfer is approved by both carriers, the NPAC (big database provider for call routing) changes that number to be routed to the new carrier. Wireless and Landline switches "dip" into the NPAC database for call routing instructions, and route the calls to the appropriate switch or carrier. The old carrier does not have any control of that number once it is released.

So there are some 3rd parties that also influence the system. It could be that the software on the 8900 is having issues with one of these clearinghouses.

[vorpil]

I agree. I don't know Audiovox's well, but seeing as they're not as prevalent as the Nokia's and SE's and Samsung's (e.g. a Daewoo TV vs. Sony or Panasonic etc.) and hearing about their colored reputation does make me worry a bit during my trial period with my 8900.

Then again, maybe their imperfect reputation makes potential adopters of Audiovox products cast more skepticism than leading brand products. I'm a bit guilty of this myself.

I also agree that my unit's been extremely solid both in construction and operation. The feel and many physical aspects of it reminds me of my stellar Samsung SGH-S105. It excels as a phone, first in signal strength and second, for the most part, in terms of usability. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles, however, when compared to my mother's LG VX6000.

I've always been the one among my friends willing to try out the "underdog" brand stuff.

I don't wish to jinx my exceptional luck I've had with my unit for the past 3 days, compared to all the negative posts I've read here, but I do feel overall the unit's been great- with a few shortcomings.

Pluses:
- Solid construction.
- Strong Signal strength
- Tri-mode!
- Bright and legible TFT main LCD display and great non-color outer LCD.
- Initial usability gripes (quickly searching phonebook by name and dialing, or quickly sending txt msgs) disappeared after learning to use the Right Soft Menu button for "Contacts" (duh me!)
- Blue notification lights- very useful for visual cueing when working at my desk with headphones on (although could appear "fad"-ish at first)
- Buttons - the bright backlight, the size, the placement, the tactile cueing.
- Size - comfortable in my large hands.
- Acceptably loud earpiece and ringer volumes.
- Default ringer selection includes everything from standard "business-like" rings to rich polyphonic rings.

My personal gripes:
- The brand history.
- The switching "Verizon Wireless" banner, even in incoming caller ID's, and the font being too thin on outer LCD display (don't care for lack of color), drives me nuts sometimes when I'm trying to determine who's calling. If the font was as thick as the "Missed Call" msg on the outer LCD display, my eyes will be happy.
- The speakerphone is useful only in almost quiet to quiet areas, which would be sufficient for me if the rubber headset covering could be easily opened with my large fingers-- and AFAIK requires the phone to remain open during the duration of the call.
- Potential conflict of interest in taking the phone with me to clients' locations due to camera phone restrictions. If same phone didn't have camera feature, I'd be completely sold on it.
- Size - not small enough to comfortably slip into my pocket with my PDA.

Also, I believe phonescoop's weight and size specs for the 8900 might be off- I remember the weight being 3.9 oz in the VZN manual enclosed with the phone. It's very similar in dimension to the LG VX6000, just the slightest bit shorter and not as thick.

[VIP]

Verizon has temporarily halted the sales of the 8900 citing a "software issue". However, they have not provided any details. Has anybody heard what kind of software issue it's having?

[JFarson]

Maybe I'm an exception. I've used Audiovox phones for the most part since I've had wireless service. I started with an MVX 4400(or 4800, don't remember), and before the 8900, a 9155gpx.

So, getting back to the 8900, it is quite a step up from using a monochrome phone. The styling is really nice, and it has a good feel in your hand. Very solid. Just enough weight to it to make it comfortable to hold.

Has good signal strength. This is important, as I use my cell phone almost exclusively when I am home.
The earphone is loud and clear, and the ringers are loud. I tried the alarm clock function in place of my regular alarm clock, and it will wake you up with no problem!

The speakerphone is ok, BUT when set to the highest volume setting, it tends to blare a bit and so is not as clear as the next lower setting.

Like Vorpil stated, the phone book takes a bit getting used to, but when you learn to use the Contacts button, that makes it easier to look up numbers. BUT, when the Contacts listing comes up, if an entry has a mobile number listed, this is shown as the primary number. I would prefer that person's home number to show up as primary.

The main screen is bright and big, and the outer screen (with annoying blinking VZW banner, WHY?!) could have a stronger font. There is a contrast adjustment, but if you power the phone down, you have to readjust this setting again. Minor annoyance.

Tried the camera a few times. Since I don't know anyone with a camera phone, I sent pictures to other people's emails, and they all were sent and received with no problems. But, VZW charges 25c for each picture transmission. Don't know how many pictures the camera will hold, more than the VX6000?

There a few other items to highlight, such as the placement of the earphone jack (bad), but for the couple of days I've had it, it seems to be doing everything it's supposed to. Since I've been messing with all the features, don't know how good the battery life will actually be.

Checked with most of the stores in Riverside/Corona/Hemet and they all have the phone in stock. Will be interesting to see if people here experience problems like people from other areas have .

Hope This Helps,

[vorpil]

I too have TO95VEDT19_1.189 and have problems sending out picture messages-

But I do have the Answer Options -> Call Answer choices of "Any Key" and "Send Key"-- strange.

[silverado]

What is Verizon's deal? After pulling the 8900 their lineup is pretty much the same as it was 6 months ago. I wish they'd update their phones with something decent, at least the VX6000 is now $70 after rebate. I'll wait.

[NYCDru]

Originally posted by: JoeWookie
Maybe I'm an exception.

no, I love my 8900 too.

I've used Audiovox phones for the most part since I've had wireless service. I started with an MVX 4400(or 4800, don't remember), and before the 8900, a 9155gpx.

So, getting back to the 8900, it is quite a step up from using a monochrome phone. The styling is really nice, and it has a good feel in your hand. Very solid. Just enough weight to it to make it comfortable to hold.

Has good signal strength. This is important, as I use my cell phone almost exclusively when I am home.
The earphone is loud and clear, and the ringers are loud. I tried the alarm clock function in place of my regular alarm clock, and it will wake you up with no problem!

Like i said, outperformed my v60. Loud it definately is. Enough so as to be able to be used in the dance studio i go to. I used the alrm clock for the first time this morning. WOW!!!

The speakerphone is ok, BUT when set to the highest volume setting, it tends to blare a bit and so is not as clear as the next lower setting.

I will agree with that. It is still realy usefull for pranking people though(stupid John, but was fun)

Like Vorpil stated, the phone book takes a bit getting used to, but when you learn to use the Contacts button, that makes it easier to look up numbers. BUT, when the Contacts listing comes up, if an entry has a mobile number listed, this is shown as the primary number. I would prefer that person's home number to show up as primary.

I REALY like the fact that i can use up down to select a contact, and then right left to select which number. Most people i call are by cell anyway though.

The main screen is bright and big, and the outer screen (with annoying blinking VZW banner, WHY?!) could have a stronger font. There is a contrast adjustment, but if you power the phone down, you have to readjust this setting again. Minor annoyance.

The outer screen is prety bright too. Enough light to read by.

Tried the camera a few times. Since I don't know anyone with a camera phone, I sent pictures to other people's emails, and they all were sent and received with no problems. But, VZW charges 25c for each picture transmission. Don't know how many pictures the camera will hold, more than the VX6000?

I have maxed it out at 50 pictures at 640x480.

There a few other items to highlight, such as the placement of the earphone jack (bad), but for the couple of days I've had it, it seems to be doing everything it's supposed to. Since I've been messing with all the features, don't know how good the battery life will actually be.

If you don't mess with the camera and speaker phone at all, 3-3.75 hours talk.
I get a full days use including talking to friends for hours on this phone.

Checked with most of the stores in Riverside/Corona/Hemet and they all have the phone in stock. Will be interesting to see if people here experience problems like people from other areas have .

Hope This Helps,

Good review dude.

[Babyboy]

NYCDru and a few others, your positive reviews are keeping the 8900 hope alive. I hope VZW fixes the phone because I would really like to get one. But the 6000 isn't that bad of phone either. I also agree, I can't remember who said it, but I wish VZW would update their phones too. They do have the best network but what good does that do you if your phones aren't as good as other places. How many phones in total do they have compared with other companies (mainly T-Mobile, Cingular, and AT&T Wireless)? Just curious.

[Babyboy]

Originally posted by: silverado
What is Verizon's deal? After pulling the 8900 their lineup is pretty much the same as it was 6 months ago. I wish they'd update their phones with something decent, at least the VX6000 is now $70 after rebate. I'll wait.

Like I said earlier, I agree 180% with you. Soupy, MikeP, RaiderDoug, and others your comments make sense. Props also to Tony E and orioles150.

[NYCDru]

NEWS FLASH

I have mysteriously ran into one of Manhtan's corporate Sales supoort guys twic this week in totaly random ways. (met him on the train tuesday, he came to a cell phone fair at the company i temped for thursday. I told him it was God's way odf saying he realy shold get me in his company. He also thinks I am the only person in NY who has the 8900. He hasn't seen anyone else with it since the quarantine.) He told me to go to the store EArly one morning (actually, he specified a store) and get it flashed to the new software. I am going probably on tuesday. We will see what happens.

[fastharry]

well,I got big news for him...

I was in the paramus NJ store last night....they had no idea what was up with the phone...and they did not have a software update...

You think the update will fix all the things wrong with my phone?.....I showed the tech everything wrong.........He actually thought the guys who did final testing were MORONS for even releasing "THAT PIECE OF JUNK".......


What gets me is that the verozizon store was packed......I went to the AT&T store in garden state plaza..it was empty...but you should see the great stuff they have,and will be getting..

What the hell is wrong with verizon?.....

I for one am thinking of switching companys when my contracts up in Jan....

I've talked on the phone with Verizon tech..emailed,NO answers about anything...

I dropped their Online service last year...(THANK GOD) and went with optonline.......(after all the promises for TWO years how DSL would be available in my area...(AND IT STILL ISNT).....And I tell 100 customers a week in my store how bad they were.......(and the majority are FORMER verizon online customers...some even switched on my comments a year ago!!)

Looks like I might be waging a war against them in the phone dept too..

[NYCDru]

Originally posted by: fastharry
well,I got big news for him...

I was in the paramus NJ store last night....they had no idea what was up with the phone...and they did not have a software update...

You think the update will fix all the things wrong with my phone?.....I showed the tech everything wrong.........He actually thought the guys who did final testing were MORONS for even releasing "THAT PIECE OF JUNK".......

Ok, I need to know. What are all the things you founfd that were wrong with the phone. Please list ALL of them.

What gets me is that the verozizon store was packed......I went to the AT&T store in garden state plaza..it was empty...but you should see the great stuff they have,and will be getting..

Thats for the same reason in NYC that happens. People now know that in NY/NJ if you want pretty phones go to ATT, if you want a phone that WORKS go to Verizon. Its realy that simple. and Verizon is getting TONS of ATT customers proting to them because of it.

What the hell is wrong with verizon?.....

I for one am thinking of switching companys when my contracts up in Jan....

I've talked on the phone with Verizon tech..emailed,NO answers about anything...

I dropped their Online service last year...(THANK GOD) and went with optonline.......(after all the promises for TWO years how DSL would be available in my area...(AND IT STILL ISNT).....And I tell 100 customers a week in my store how bad they were.......(and the majority are FORMER verizon online customers...some even switched on my comments a year ago!!)

Looks like I might be waging a war against them in the phone dept too..

[/quote] I will definately agree that Verizon wireless phone testing needs a DRASTIC overhall. Put me in charge, all you will see is PERFECT F-IN PHONES. Or as close as we can get.