Wize Blog

Ten Holiday Gifts $50 and Under

Here's wize.com's list of 10 highly ranked holiday gifts that are easy on the pocket book. Rankings are provided by wize.com.

1. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for Xbox 360 sells for  $50 and is rated a 97.
2. Hot Tools Curling Iron Spring Grip Giant 2" sells for $34 and is rated a 95.
3. Presto 06000 Slow Cooker sells for $33 and is rated a 99.
4. Hamilton Beach Michael Graves Design 40304 Coffee Maker sells for $30 and is rated a 97.
5. The Learning Company Liberty's Kids Full Version sells for $6 and is rated 99.
6. Targus League Notebook Backpack (TSB075US) Carrying Case sells for $38 and is rated 96.
7. Motorola TracFone V170 Cellular Phone sells for $40 and is rated 90.
8. Argus DCM-099 Digital Camera sells for $19 and is rated 96.
9. Conair 1875 Hair Dryer sells for $22 and is rated 94.
10. Delstar DS-3512 (512 Mb) MP3 Player sells for $30 and rated 90. 

What's in XBox 360 Online Update

On Dec. 4th, they'll be a download waiting for Xbox owners. According to the San Jose Mercury News blog, Microsoft will introduce a new update for the Xbox 360’s dashboard and Xbox Live service.

The free system update will be available to users around the world. It will feature:

*Family Control feature--limits how long someone can play
* Downloads of games that previously were only sold through retail outlets through Xbox Live Originals (XBox Live is the online gaming and entertainment service that lets connect your Xbox to the Internet) You can find reviews to some of the games on wize.com.
Expanded social networking experiences.
* Capabilities for more detailed profiles.
* A friend's list.
* New navigation.
* XBox news site called "Inside Xbox"

The Top 5 Xbox 360 games are listed here.

Is Dual Lens Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera Worth the Price?

Buy-and-Shoot.com came out with a review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 digital camera. I looked up the camera at  wize.com and found out that it cost $450.  Is this point-and-shoot camera worth the price?

Here are some specs and highlights from the review for the Kodak EasyShare V610 digital camera:

Resolution is 6 MP.
Has dual lens "Retina Technology"
Has 10x optical zoom.
Focal lengths from 38-380mm (35 mm equivalent)
First lens offers 38-114 mm; Second lens 130-380 mm.
Small shutter lag time.
Has video capabilities.
It's just under an inch thick.
Lenses stay flat (flush with camera) when zooming
Has 21 scene options.
Sends images straight to a Kodak printer.
Stitches images together to create panorama.
Shows noise at ISO speeds 200 and up.

I like the idea of having two lenses available on a point-and-shoot. I'm just not sure about purchasing this one, especially since the reviewer notes noise at ISO 200. Not a good sign.

The camera rated a 90 at wize.com.

Verizon Open Access Not for Everyone

Verizon had said yesterday that it is opening up access to any application and any device. It wants do so because the government is selling off UHF frequencies according to an article in the New York Times yesterday. Verizon as it seems will be up against Google in a bid for the frequencies.

When Verizon opens up a "bring your own" device it will make more money so it can afford to buy the UHF airwaves.

The drama about what Verizon's any device/open access means shifted gear today.

Any Device?

In the U.S. there are  two incompatible network standards in use - GSM and CDMA.

According to TechCrunch, "By “any device” Verizon means you can bring any CDMA device to its network."

What about GSM? It will not be available.

Open Access?

Apparently, Verizon will not offer the open access plan to existing customers. Existing customers will not be able to bring in new applications that were developed under the bring-your-own device program. 

What Happens if You Misplace, Lose, or Your iPhone is Stolen --- ANOTHER UPDATE!

With the AT&T tilt sitting on my desk in a state of complete uselessness, I decided I was done with AT&T and would move to a different carrier and a temporary phone, and wanted to find the cheapest and easiest plan I could find. 

Already being a Sprint PCS Connection Card Plan holder (I use a Sprint mobile card for wireless internet on the go) I decided to look into their plans, and found them to be less expensive than T-mobile and Verizon. I began the process of purchasing my new phone and plan until another error message hit my computer screen. 

A friendly live chat window popped up, and a person named Samantha greeted me.  I copied the chat log and am posting it below because it provides some insights into another mobile carrier's pitfalls, as well as some the non-disclosed information that carriers try to slide by those who don't have the time to read the small print.  

7:46:41 PM      Samantha

I will be happy to assist you with your order.

7:47:06 PM      Samantha

You can add the phone order to your existing account in the checkout process.

7:49:20 PM      Stephanie

yes, that is what I was trying to do, but an error message kept popping up

7:50:26 PM      Samantha

I apologize that you are having difficulties. What is the error message?

7:51:15 PM      Stephanie

no problem, just went through it again

7:51:19 PM      Stephanie

it says:
Please resolve the following error(s) in the Monthly Billing section.

* P2k Account Validation FIelds

7:54:32 PM      Samantha

I apologize for your inconvenience, however this error occurs when the account number has not been converted to the new billing system.

7:54:51 PM      Stephanie

ok, what does that mean?

7:56:07 PM      Samantha

That means that you are on our old billing system, and your account has not been changed over as of yet.

7:56:41 PM      Stephanie

and?

7:56:42 PM      Samantha

We hope to have all the account switched over by the end of December.

7:56:51 PM      Stephanie

okay, what does that mean?

7:57:02 PM      Stephanie

so I have to go into a store?

7:57:12 PM      Samantha

You can order as a new customer.

7:57:35 PM      Stephanie

but why would I want to do that?

7:58:56 PM      Samantha

In order to receive the most savings for your new phone and service, you would want to complete your order online.

7:59:02 PM      Stephanie

how much would I save?

7:59:07 PM      Samantha

I do apologize for the inconvenience you've encountered on Sprint.com this evening, however there are just a couple additional steps to take in order to complete your web order as a new account.

7:59:29 PM      Stephanie

what is the difference in savings to order online?

7:59:30 PM      Samantha

Which phone are you ordering with us this evening, Stephanie?

7:59:49 PM      Stephanie

the LG rumor

8:00:32 PM      Samantha

You will end up paying $99.99 for the Rumor rather than only $49.99 since you would not receive the *Web Special* pricing; a promotion only available on Sprint.com.

8:01:32 PM      Samantha

Also, if you can return to your shopping cart page before completing your order, I can give you a promo code which will give you a $50 credit on your first or second bill showing your new line.

8:02:06 PM      Stephanie

well, that is nice of you, that would be for a credit to my calling charges?

8:02:58 PM      Samantha

That would be a $50 credit toward your calling plan. This would appear on the first or second invoice that shows the line of service you're ordering with us tonight.

8:03:22 PM      Stephanie

okay, and just confirming, there would not be an activation fee if I go ahead and do this?

8:03:58 PM      Samantha

That is correct. Your order for another line of service will include free shipping as well as the free activation.

8:04:08 PM      Samantha

The credit I've offered this evening will not effect your current savings in any way.

8:04:14 PM      Stephanie

okay great

8:04:48 PM      Samantha

If you could scroll to the bottom of your checkout page, you should see a button "Return to cart" this will take you straight to your shopping cart where you will enter the promo code for your $50 credit.

8:05:17 PM      Stephanie

I see the promo code box

8:05:53 PM      Samantha

Wonderful! In order to provide you with this promo code, may I please have the first and last name as it appears on your Sprint account, Stephanie?

8:06:01 PM      Stephanie

Stephanie ****

8:06:48 PM      Samantha

Thank you very much! Your promo code is 50RWC01 (with both 0 being numerical). Please be sure to enter this code manually as it sometimes does not get accepted with you copy and paste.

8:07:08 PM      Samantha

Once you enter the code, you'll want to click on the blue "Apply" button before returning to your checkout.

8:07:49 PM      Stephanie

okay

8:08:06 PM      Stephanie

I can see the $50 savings "for later"

8:08:32 PM      Samantha

Wonderful! That means the code was successfully applied, and you can now return to your checkout.

8:08:42 PM      Samantha

For web chat sales tracking records, may I have the confirmation number once you have completed your order?

8:08:58 PM      Stephanie

sure

8:09:40 PM      Stephanie

I have to give my SSN again?

8:09:52 PM      Samantha

That is correct.

8:10:04 PM      Stephanie

but I am already a customer with you

8:10:42 PM      Samantha

I do understand, however your account is currently under our old billing system, and not yet on our new billing system. This is the reason you received your previous error.

8:11:02 PM      Samantha

We are hoping to have all customers converted to our new billing system by the end of December this year.

 

8:11:27 PM      Samantha

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, however, to avoid the P2K error, you'll want to complete your order by creating a new account.

8:11:44 PM      Stephanie

okay, so it says my credit was approved

8:12:12 PM      Samantha

Now all that's left is to complete your final checkout screen.

8:13:40 PM      Stephanie

okay, the total previously was $49.99, and now it is $75.36, is the additional amount for tax?

8:13:45 PM      Stephanie

on the phone?

8:14:22 PM      Samantha

That is correct. The taxes are calculated for the original cost of the phone. Also, if you added any accessories to your order, this will change your total.

8:15:40 PM      Stephanie

okay, and I would like to port my AT&T number over, but I purchsed the account and phone 2 days ago and thus did not ever get a account #

8:16:27 PM      Samantha

What you'll want to do instead of choosing to bring a number to Sprint in checkout; which will ultimately delay your order is, under "Let Sprint Determine Your Number" enter a local landline number.

8:16:47 PM      Samantha

This will allow us to assign a temporary number to your phone which allows for phone activation, and to determine your calling area.

8:17:07 PM      Samantha

Once you receive your phone, you can have your AT&T number ported over through Customer Care.

8:17:41 PM      Stephanie

okay, except I only use a cell, no landline

8:18:18 PM      Samantha

You can enter *any* landline number. You can use a work number, or even a number to your favorite restaurant.

8:18:38 PM      Stephanie

okay

8:20:16 PM      Stephanie

the terms & conditions state "a minimum term either 1 or 2 years" which am I signing up for?

8:20:57 PM      Samantha

That information has not yet been updated, Sprint now only offers 2-year service agreements.

8:21:42 PM      Stephanie

so the terms & conditions are not correct?

8:21:56 PM      Stephanie

what is the early termination fee?

8:22:07 PM      Samantha

The information is correct aside from the fact that the "1-year" term has not yet been removed.

8:22:40 PM      Samantha

Early termination currently is $200.00 for each line of service canceled that is still under contract.

8:22:52 PM      Stephanie

thanks for all of this information, by the way, I appreciate it

8:23:03 PM      Stephanie

does it say that in the terms?

8:23:13 PM      Stephanie

the $200, I didn’t see it

 

8:24:02 PM      Samantha

Yes, the termination penalty information should be included in the terms and conditions. I still have my form that came with my phone and it lists the termination penalties with Sprint.

8:24:33 PM      Stephanie

It just states: Your exact Term Commitment and Early Termination Fee may vary based on the Services you select and will be disclosed to you during the sales transaction.

8:24:49 PM      Stephanie

yet nothing has been disclosed

8:25:12 PM      Samantha

There are quite a few terms and conditions. I feel sure somewhere in there the cost will be listed as that is what is stated on my Sprint form with the terms and conditions.

8:25:13 PM      Stephanie

just curious about that

 

8:25:43 PM      Stephanie

when I receive the phone, so not when I purchase, only after when I get the bill?

8:25:47 PM      Samantha

We will be changing the termination penalties around the first of next year however to be prorated based upon how close to the end of contract you are when you cancel service.

8:26:17 PM      Stephanie

oh, fun, do you know what it will be at the first of the year? Appreciate your patience

8:27:08 PM      Samantha

The cost will be prorated and our customer care agents are the representatives who will hold that information.

8:27:25 PM      Samantha

How is your checkout coming along, Stephanie?

8:27:32 PM      Stephanie

prorated depending on how long you have been with Sprint?

8:27:48 PM      Stephanie

am waiting on Sprint internet to refresh the page

8:28:03 PM      Samantha

As we've discussed, it's prorated based upon how close to the end of contract you are when you choose to cancel service.

8:28:19 PM      Stephanie

ok, makes sense

8:28:23 PM      Samantha

What is showing on your checkout screen currently?

8:28:34 PM      Stephanie

ah

8:28:44 PM      Stephanie

There were errors processing your request. Please verify your information and try again.

8:28:52 PM      Stephanie

is the screen which just came up

8:28:58 PM      Samantha

What information is highlighted in red?

8:29:28 PM      Stephanie

nothing was

8:29:40 PM      Stephanie

just submitting again and now processing once again

8:30:00 PM      Samantha

When you entered the local landline number, did you click on the blue "Locate Area" button?

8:30:18 PM      Stephanie

it's saying "please wait until your order is processed"

8:30:37 PM      Stephanie

yes, did click on the blue button

8:30:38 PM      Samantha

So you see the processing bar with steps 1-4 and a progress bar?

8:31:01 PM      Stephanie

I think went thru because just saw an email from Sprint, but still is "order processing"

8:31:12 PM      Stephanie

progress bar is 1/4 done

8:31:24 PM      Stephanie

says "submitting data"

8:31:29 PM      Samantha

If you would, go ahead and open the email from Sprint, and let me know what is in there.

8:31:54 PM      Samantha

You may be able to go ahead and close your browser, but please don't until we've determined whether or not your order has in fact processed.

8:31:58 PM      Stephanie

says I am registered with Sprint

8:32:08 PM      Stephanie

and I can access my account online

8:32:19 PM      Samantha

Did you receive an order confirmation number in that email beginning with "ws-bbcc"?

 

8:32:34 PM      Stephanie

yes

8:32:43 PM      Stephanie

is that the number you need?

8:33:00 PM      Samantha

That does mean that your order was successfully submitted to Sprint, and yes ma'am that is the order confirmation number that I need.

 

What Happens if You Misplace, Lose, or Your iPhone is Stolen --- UPDATE!

Thursday, 4:00pm - It was mentioned by a co-worker that every time he calls my cell, it does not pick up and AT&T has a message that immediately hangs up on him.  Hmmm... I investigate further, and indeed, AT&T has turned off my cell for some reason.  Working at home today battling a fever, I now have the choice to wait until tomorrow to head to the store which is 20 miles away, or go now.  Either way, for some reason, AT&T has obviously shut my phone off, now, the phone that is not the iPhone, the $4190 + tax AT&T tilt phone is a brick. 

To read more about adventures with AT&T and the saga that began 42 hours ago, check out my last blog post.

What is a Google Gadget?

Just what is a Google gadget?
Google gadgets are interactive graphic elements that you can put on your Web page or blog.
Here's how you get one and put it on your blog.

1. Go to the Google Gadget page.
2. Search for a Gadget or pick one that's on the page.
3. Click on where it says "Add to your webpage."
4. Follow the prompts for Gadget color, height, width, etc...
5. Click on "Preview Changes."
6. If you like what you got click on "Get the Code."
7. Copy the code.
8. Paste the code into your blog's post or template or into your Web site's code page.

What Happens if You Misplace, Lose, or Your iPhone is Stolen

As excited as I was the first week I had my brand new iPhone, I suddenly was not so thrilled when Monday of this week it vanished.  Yes, I was frustrated that I would have to suck it up and spend another $399 + tax for the new phone, but little did I know the ordeal I was about to endure.

Tuesday, 9:08am - I head to the Apple store to pick up the new phone. Upon arrival they mention that first I should go to the AT&T store to cancel the existing account and make sure I am credited for any erroneous payments that may have occurred once it went missing. Makes sense.

Tuesday, 9:15am - Hit the AT&T store, and after waiting 10 mins to find someone who looked interested enough in helping me (one store worker was playing loud music on his own phone and said it would be a few mins-- then he started rapping), a man appeared from the back room. 

Tuesday, 9:26am - Over an irate  woman who was screaming about her  phone bill,  I explained the situation, and we began to close my account.  As it seems, some fortunate person found my iPhone and called China, multiple times. 

Tuesday, 9:58am - Finally the AT&T store worker was convinced that I had no reason to call China and said he would credit the account and I am sent back to Apple to buy the new iPhone. Yay!

Tuesday, 10:17am - I arrive at work, plug in the new iPhone and prepare to activate. 

Tuesday, 10:25am - I receive an error message which states that the iPhone is unable to activate at this time and I must called customer service, so I do.

Thuesday, 10:47am - I get a live person on the phone. Again, Yay!  I explain my situation, and they mention that they have no idea what the issue would be and the only thing to do is go into a AT&T store and activate there.

Tuesday, 11:14am - I leave my office with the new iPhone in hand and reutrn back to the AT&T store, where said male employee is still listening to his music and rapping loudly.  The irate woman arguing about her bill is still there arguing, and now a line has formed with others commenting that their bills included many calls which they did not make.  One woman who I would say was in her 60's had a bill which called The Netherlands 6,880 times she said, and no, she knew no one in Europe but thought it would likely be a nice place to visit. 

Tuesday, 11:42am -  I make contact with the man who was helping me before, and lift my new iPhone out of the bag.  "Oh, he says, ummm, yeah, we have no way to activate here. We don't have any computers. You can try going down to the Apple store."  No computers, seriously????  From in the storage room, an AT&T salesman comes out and says that he has his laptop in his car and would be willing to get it so we can activate the phone there.

Tuesday, 12:22am - Walk thru the itunes process, same issue, so the AT&T salesman calls his own customer service. 

Tuesday, 12:29pm - We get someone on the line who finally realizes there is a hold on the account from the lost phone. 

Tuesday, 12:35pm - I am told we will need to exchange the iPhone for a new one which would have a different sim card and thus would work.  The AT&T salesman says that would be a 10% restocking fee, or $39.90.  I disagree.

Tuesday, 1:14pm - The AT&T salesman finally gives in and waives the restocking fee, and we start with a new iPhone they have in the AT&T store. 

Tuesday, 2:35pm - The entire process is repeated and same error message pops up, so we call AT&T customer service once again.

Tuesday, 3:42pm - After 2 supervisors, 3 managers, and switching out the sim cards 4 times on the new iPhone a person at the customer care AT&T center realizes that the $200 activation I had originally paid never transferred to the new account and once it did  we would all be good to go.  "How long would that take?," I inquired.  "Likely by midnight." 

Tuesday, 4:19pm - I leave the store, and expect by midnight for the phone to be ready for activation.  During my time there, 7 people came back with phones they had purchased in the last 2 weeks that did not work, 4 people came in with phones they had purchased in the last month that had lost all cell reception.  22 people came in that had erroneous calls on their bills.  6 people came in that had charges on their bills for services they did not ask for such as "texting." 

Wednesday, 8:46am - Try to activate the iPhone --- do I really need to mention it now... same error message. 

Wednesday, 9:52am - I arrive at the AT&T store.  Again, there are  people waiting  with  angry looks and loud voices yelling things and pointing to their bills.  I think, "this is worse than the DMV on a bad day!"

Wednesday, 10:11am - I make contact with a salesperson, who stares at me blankly and says "not sure what to tell you."  I ask to speak to the manager I spoke with the day prior.

Wednesday, 10:32am - A different manager emerges from the back.  She says, "I don't know what to tell you, we don't have computers here."  I mentioned the friendly store worker who let us borrow his laptop.  He should be in by 11:30am she says. 

Wednesday, 11:42am - He arrives.  We load up and connect with itunes... once again, same error message so we call AT&T customer care.

Wednesday, 12:23pm -  They notice I am jotting down notes, and ask why. I mention the blog I write for and that at least makes they attentive for a few minutes.  We get someone on the phone, and walk them through all that has happened.

Wednesday, 1:12pm - AT&T customer care confirms that the $200 deposit did transfer and maybe it is a faulty iPhone.  Keeping them on the phone, they say that it will be a 10% percent restocking fee, I just stare at them, and the guy behind the counter say "okay, we can wave it, but don't say we didn't ever give you anything."   

Wednesday,  1:32pm -  We try a new phone, and same thing.  I suggest, maybe if  we credit my  bank account the $200 and recharge me, perhaps that will work and we can start over.

Wednesday, 2:17pm - I give all of my new information, charge the $200 to my account, and get my receipt.  When I look down at my nice shinny white paper, I see a charge for $3,990.  What??? "Umm, I think you charged me $3,990,"  The man behind the counter scratches his head. "Really?" he says and takes a look.  "That was supposed to be $39.90 for the restocking fee."  I remind him, I shouldn't have to pay a restocking fee.  "Oh yeah," he says, "I'll have to get my manager out here to reverse that."

Wednesday, 2:21pm - Manager appears and hears the whole store.  "Yeah," she says, "For things like this, we can't reverse that, we can only credit your AT&T account, so looks like you won't have to pay a bill for awhile."  Okay, now, $200 credit for an activation I can understand, but really, really, this was insane! 

Wednesday, 2:34pm - The Manager  says she will have to call  AT&T customer care to get it sorted out. 

Wednesday, 3:19pm - AT&T customer care answers.  They see a hold on my AT&T account and can not release the additional payment because they can not see why that payment was made.  The manager suggests maybe I try my credit card company.  I, of course say, "I would call them right now if I had a cell to call on!" 

Wednesday, 3:41pm - AT&T customer care and the mangers and sales people with in the AT&T store toss their hands up in the air and literally say, "I guess some people are not meant to have an iPhone." 

Wednesday, 4:01pm - I toss my hands up in the air and say, well I need to leave here with a phone and chose the AT&T Tilt, if nothing else I am told this one I can return in 30 days without a restocking fee, and evade the chances of AT&T charging me thousands of more dollars should I return it.  Once again, to exchange, I am told that would be a $39.90 restocking fee.  I stare blankly.  The sales man who was rapping in the beginning laughed loudly and went back to texting on his own phone. 

Wednesday, 4:20pm - I exit the AT&T store with my $4190 + tax AT&T tilt, only to find a $40 parking ticket on my car.  Go figure. 

In this day I saw 16 people come in with billing issues, 4 brand new cell phones returned, and 6 people who said everytime they dialed out the first time, the cell would drop the call so their bills were double what they should be.  I wondered about all the people like myself who typically can't  find the time in the day to go into a store to argue about a strange charge on their bill.

And then I wondered if I should have tossed in everything and gone with Skype. 

 

Top 5 Laptops from Wize.com

Here's the top 5 rated computers at wize.com.

Hewlett Packard HP Pavilion dv9010us 17 Widescreen Entertainment Notebook PC ...rated 99....$1070

Sony VAIO VGN-AX580G PC Notebook..........................................................rated 98....$1200

Apple MacBook Pro (MA611LL/A) NotebookApple MacBook Pro (MA611LL/A) Notebook rated 97....$2199

ASUS G1S-A1 (90NLBA6132413CQL400T) PC Notebook....................................rated 97....$2038

Hewlett Packard HP DV9230US 1.66 GHz Intel Centrino Duo PC Notebook................rated 97....$1350

Casio Exilim EX-Z77 Review

Entering CNET's top 20 gadgets this week is the Casio Exilim EX-Z77, the only digital camera on the list.
It's worth taking a look because it's relatively inexpensive and has a host of options from snapping stills to capturing video.

An important point about this camera (and others as well) is that the 7.2 MP capability lets you blow up images taken with it to poster size (11X17).


Here's a comment on the wize.com Web site that references the clarity in which images enlarge with a Casio camera.

"I have taken them to be developed 11x17 poster size at Costco and they come out perfect."

This Casio model has a 38mm-to-114mm-equivalent lens, which won't let you cover a lot of territory in a frame because, at 38 mm, you can't get a very wide shot.

The EX-Z77 is slow. It takes 1.6 seconds after it's powered up for it to be ready to take a picture.

The most interesting feature of the camera is it comes with Casio's new YouTube Capture mode, which records video clips in YouTube format-- a 30fps VGA MPEG-4 movie mode. The camera also comes tith YouTube Uploader software, which lets you post your videos without using YouTube's uploading page.

A similar camera, the Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z70,  rates a 91 at wize.com, and at around $170, it makes a great Christmas gift.