Mari’s Gadget-Giving Post-Mortem, Part 2

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If you missed Post-Mortem Part 1, I covered the Christmas gadget insanity in my house with the Wii, Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick and iRecord. Part 2 starts with the Dash.

The Dash
Way to Ruin the Surprise

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I should have listened to my own advice. I knew it was a bad idea to buy a cell phone for a present strictly on the basis of having to commit to a service agreement. What I didn’t realize was how impossible it would be to keep a cell phone gift a surprise. It used to be you could buy a phone from T-Mobile without having it attached to an account. Perfect for gift shopping because you just switched the SIM card and activated the account after giving the present to your intended recipient. Now, however, you have to list a T-Mobile account when you buy the phone. I spent quite a while on a call with customer service making sure that everything would be more or less hidden from my husband until after Christmas, despite the fact that I was accessing his mobile account. Everything seemed to be well-arranged, and then the next day hubby got a text message on his current phone.

This is a free message from T-Mobile! Thank you for purchasing a service upgrade from T-Mobile! (i.e. locking you in for 2 more years…) If you didn’t make this purchase, please let us know! Thanks!

Arrgh.

At least the Dash has proven a worthy present if not a surprise one. Maybe a comparison later to the Blackjack?

Squeezebox
Ask and Ye Shall Receive

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My new Squeezebox is not yet out of the box, but only because I just arrived back home after the holidays. I have a space cleared and ready for it. It’s nice to get what you wish for.

Stay tuned for Part 3: The eStarling WiFi photo frame and the DigiMemo.

3 thoughts on “Mari’s Gadget-Giving Post-Mortem, Part 2”

  1. ” and then the next day hubby got a text message on his current phone.”

    I still think that said husband should have been quicker on the uptake and not managed the following:

    “Hey, I got a text message from T-Mobile, talking about my new plan…but I didn’t…I mean…[light dawning]…that is…this means that you…oh, crap.”

  2. There are lots of places you can buy unlocked cell phones from, without the strings attached. OTOH, you don’t get the “discounts” that way. You can even use eBay.

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