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.]