Massively Parallel Procrastination

An untitled post

Today, I went back to the T-Mobile store in Harvard Square, with my second deficient T-68.

Me: Hi. This is my second T-68. The signal strength at my house is intolerably bad.

Rep: What do you want to do about it?

Me: I'd like to return the phone. Ideally, I'd like to replace it with something that has a color screen and gets better signal strength.

Rep: They all get exactly the same signal strength.

Me: That's not true. Different phones have different RF units, which result in some phones getting better signal than others.

Rep: They all get exactly the same signal strength.

Me: Well, then I'd like to return my phone and void out my service contract.

Rep: Are you still within the trial period?

Me: Yes.

Rep: Ok. this will take a couple minutes.

[ I wander over to look at the new Sidekick ]

Rep: Sir, I'd like you to try this for a couple days first.

Me: Hmm?

Rep: This sticker is an antenna booster and will increase your signal by a couple bars.

Me: Um. Ok.

Rep: I've never had a complaint about one of these stickers. they're magic.

Me: So, when are you going to get the T68i?

Rep: Oh, those are only available in Europe.

Me: But AT&T Wireless has them and amazon is selling them with your service.

Rep: Yes, but that's amazon and not t-mobile. AT&T isn't a GSM provider. We are the ONLY GSM provider in the US.

Me: One of my friends has a T68i from AT&T in Boston. He gets great coverage in my house.

Rep2: Oh. You've seen AT&T's GSM commercials? We get much better coverage than they do.

Rep: Your friend has a GSM handset from AT&T with a sim card? I don't think so.

Me: I've seen it.

Rep: AT&T hasn't rolled out GSM yet.

[At this point, I politely thanked him, took my phone, and left the store. I went home and ordered a handspring treo 270 from amazon. It's no javaphone, and it's a lot bigger, but It actually happens to be both a PDA and a cell phone.]