iPhone, call waiting, and disconnect problems

When I'm on my Verizon iPhone 4, and get a call waiting beep:

If I press IGNORE, it doesn't send the 2nd caller to voicemail (VM) as stated in Apple's out-of-date support doc, but instead it beeps AGAIN interrupting my phone call, and sometimes even a THIRD BEEP before it finally goes to voicemail. This is also annoying for my caller as they have to wait 6 or 7 rings before VM picks up.

If I accept the 2nd call, it puts the first on hold, and I am able to SWAP calls / switch back and forth, or even MERGE calls. However, I am UNABLE TO END only one of the calls, regardless of whether or not I merge them. If I press END, it disconnects all calls. There is no option to END only one of the calls.

If I am simultaneously on with 2 callers (merged or separately) and one of them hangs up, my line remains tied up and my on-screen menu continues to display options for simultaneous-dual-calls.

For example: I'm on the phone with Jack, and I put him on hold to quickly take a call from Jill; after she hangs up and I switch back to Jack, anyone who tries to call me receives a busy signal. In addition, my on-screen menu continues to display options to merge the two calls, or swap back to Jill (who's no longer there and if I do, I get dead air silence). As I stated at this point I cannot "END" only the call with Jill (or I risk disconnecting Jack as well) and here's the strangest part: Most of the time in this kind of scenario, when I switch back to Jack I'll just leave the "2nd" line tied up after the call is completed... and when I do finally wrap up the call with Jack and hang up (thereby disconnecting both lines) - the SECOND ("dead") LINE CALLS ME BACK! The phone rings with an UNKNOWN number, and when I answer it's just the dead air silence calling. If I let it go to voicemail it leaves me a 3+ minute voicemail message of nothing but white noise. [OK OK audio-sci geeks, I know dead air, white noise, and silence are different sounds but youknowwhati'msayin here.]

I called Apple Support and they said for CDMA (Verizon) phones they can't troubleshoot call waiting issues. Just spoke with a tech at Verizon Support, but unbelievably he told me the following:

1. This is not unusual.

2. These are fairly common issue complaints.

3. This is not something that can be fixed, but is programmatic to their network.

Apparently this is not only just how it is, but it's actually working as it's supposed to! The rep said he will file a complaint with the internal IT group at Verizon who deals with the coding of the voicemail and the way it works with the phones, but could not transfer me.

He speculated that the next (4G) iPhone will have working call waiting features, as Verizon's forthcoming LTE (all 4G) network treats voicemail and call waiting completely differently than CDMA.

Sigh.

To follow this discussion, visit Apple's Support Forum and view the original post and all replies:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3542384?start=0&tstart=0

Hewlett Packard packs a punch

Had to share this recent Hewlett-Packard experience from a wonderful client of ours:

I paid extra for the 2 yr in home tech warranty [on a less-than-year-old HP desktop PC]. They refuse to send an in home tech unless I let guy in India with script walk me through a dis-assembly and diagnostic.  Appearantly the "in home techs" can't diagnose--- only come with a spare part and insert. Worthless warranty. I gave up arguing after 3 hours on phone.

I bought another cheap desktop tower and am sending this broken one in by mail for and overhaul......

Awesome plumber

OK, so not exactly computer-related, but LA has a superstar plumber and his name is Robert Jaramillo. Between Robert and his uncle Russell (it's a family business started by Robert's late father twenty-plus years ago) they can fix anything at a totally reasonable price. Bobby's Plumbing comes highly recommended.

iPhone and data security

Recently, a client wrote asking the following:

Can someone access my iPhone's address book data through Bluetooth?  For example, if I have a sensitive ID number listed in a contact, can someone steal it off the phone?

Our reply:

You'd have to jailbreak and hack your own iPhone first to allow it to use BlueTooth technology for data transferring. It's defaulted by Apple to explicitly use BT for devices only (headsets, printers, keyboards). 

However, your data is susceptible to relatively easy theft when using public WiFi (cafes, libraries, etc). The big online banking apps, websites, Gmail and the like use secure protocols (you can tell by the https:// as opposed to http://) to prevent this.

If you keep sensitive information in your iPhone's Address Book, you should at least passcode lock your iPhone and enable Mobile Me's (free) Find My iPhone service, so you can remotely send messages, GPS locate, or brick (lock and/or erase it) in the event of loss/theft.

What to do when your email password has been compromised

This is such a wonderful resource, not only do I wish I wrote it, I wish I'd read it 5 years ago.

I've considered all space... and literature

Exciting programming and events at the Griffith Observatory, including the monthly lecture series "All Space Considered." 


Google's ngram viewer allows you to enter terms and compare their prevalence in all printed material scanned by Google (over 4 million books dating back to 1600AD).

iMac: overheating display issues, symptoms, & a band-aid

The white iMacs (3+ years old, out of warranty) are starting to have overheating issues, symptoms include strange display issues- shapes, color-shifts, "smudges" and "tears" in the screen may flash or remain present. There is a utility that will help, and we are monitoring for any recalls or warranty exceptions issued by Apple. Please give us a call if you need help for this!

How to block spam text messages on your mobile phone

Great how-to article from the NY Times, works like a charm on Verizon iPhone!

Google, search personalization, and filter bubbles

[or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Turn Off Search Personalization]

Eli Pariser gives a great TED Talk about the way we search:

As web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there's a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a "filter bubble" and don't get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview. Eli Pariser argues powerfully that this will ultimately prove to be bad for us and bad for democracy.

then...

Click here for a great how-to on disabling personalized Google search results.

Extend

Xmarks is a free utility that keeps your bookmarks, passwords, and even open tabs synced across multiple computers/mobile devices. They also have a great, easy-to-use extension for all your favorite browsers.


...and while we're on the topic of browser extensions: the goo.gl URL shortener, Email this Page, and Google Voice add-ons for Chrome are all quite convenient. Find extensions for your browser here:Chrome (our recommended browser), Firefox, and Safari.

If you're wondering what an extension is, it's an easy-to-use add-on that makes your web-browsing experience more useful and functional; watch a tutorial here.

Googley-eyed back ups

There was a Gmail crash back in February, with 40,000 of their users affected (0.02%), which got us thinking: not enough people are backing up their web-based email. Google publishes a tutorial for backing up Gmail; please don't hesitate to call if you need help with this or any other web-based email providers (don’t forget to export/backup those Contacts too!). For backing up Google Docs, there are a few 3rd party applications out there, but the best all-around goes to Syncplicity, which was simple to setup, inexpensive, fast and easy to use. Finally, if you make changes to your contacts that you want to undo, you can restore your full Google contacts list to an earlier saved version.

cell phone + speaker buzz = twitchbrain

Choke Cores, available for about $3 at Radio Shack, can help cut back on that annoying buzz (EMI, or electromagnetic interference) caused by some cell phones when they are close to speakers.They are easily attached to your speaker cables (slide them right up to the back of each speaker). Some GSM-type cell phones have extremely strong signals– try two on each speaker if necessary, or move them around to different places on the wire (CDMA phones generally do not cause this buzz).

National holidays for iCal

Do you use iCal and miss national holidays? Here's an easy way to quickly import them all.

Sending from Gmail on an iPhone or iPad from a different (masked) address

From the "No Idea Why This Took Me So Long To Seek Out" Department: the modernerd solves it quick, simple, and elegant HERE.

Pandora streaming?

Have an Airport Express and want to stream your Pandora music wirelessly? Check out AirFoil & PandoraJam.

A few good apps

We've been accepting all major credit cards with Square - the innovative free app/card reader from the folks behind Twitter, and it's been working great. Also addicted to classic gaming with Frogger and Atari's Greatest Hits; and (finally) the updated Google Voice app interface.

Chubby to Chiseled

I'd like to introduce to a friend of mine, Bernard Katz, who's recently received his certification as a personal trainer, and offers sessions at the Hollywood YMCA or will meet at your gym. He is an amazing, inspiring person, and an incredible trainer.  Call Bernie at Chubby to Chiseled: 323.719.2273 or email him here.

Boomerang brings scheduled sending to Gmail

The wonderful folks at Boomerang have developed something for which many Gmail users have been waiting: an extension allowing users to schedule the sending (and receiving) of messages. Need to ‘send later’? Wish that email you just received would be at the top of your inbox right at 9am on Monday morning instead of on Saturday at 6pm? Boomerang makes it happen. We love this feature, and think it's amazing a third party beat the Labs gang to it.

AT&T vs Verizon iPhone : our two cents

Considering a switch from AT&T to Verizon's iPhone? We just made the jump, and if so you'll definitely want to check out Gazelle, they buyback used technology (and paid over $350 for a used AT&T iPhone4). As for Verizon iPhone service? Well, VZW does have reception almost everywhere in LA and rarely drops calls, but MMS/picture messages often fail or take 2-3 attempts, and there's no removable SIM card if you are an international traveller (not to mention the current inability to  simultaneously handle data & phone usage).

Full museum navigation

Google has taken a landmark first step in moving 'street view' indoors with ArtProject, which makes the first wave of many artworks as accessible as books. Thanks to Slate's Cultural Gabfest for the story.

new iMac line - perfect timing

A few weeks ago the good folks at the elliptical swItchthInk blog told us about the new line of iMacs coming soon, and an Apple press release this morning confirmed that they're now shipping.


We are due for a desktop upgrade. The 4+ year-old white iMac on which this post is being composed has a GPU that's often overheating (and that's after cranking the fans with smcFanControl). The display gets all stretched out with wonky 8-bit geometrical shapes and weird gooey bends and reminds this viewer of the freakout boat scene from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Fun, but annoying when you're trying to work. And its audio input and output jacks are very touchy.

I ♥ my clients!

Feeling litigious

AT&T has denied our request for a listing in the Hollywood Yellow Pages book under Computer Repair or any other category unless we allow the listing to read as follows:

ComputersWTF (Why The Fuss).................323-963-3390

They wouldn't even allow:

computersWTF.............................323-963.3390

Below, the email I received from the sales rep, and my reply:
(click each to enlarge)

computersWTF receives #1 ranking on Thumbtack.com

From Thumbtack.com:

Congratulations! Your service listing "Computer Support, Consulting, Repair & Tutoring" is ranked #1 among computer training services in Los Angeles.

Computer Training Services - Los Angeles

Computer Training Services, Los Angeles