engadget.com — You know, we love fighting the good fight -- especially if it means calling out corporations on their untoward business practices. Today we're joining David Pogue of the New York Times in calling foul on cellphone carriers' insistence that users be forced to listen to those maddening, pointless 15-second canned carrier messages.
Jul 30, 2009 View in Crawl 4
bookellyJul 30, 2009
The fuss is that after 4 or 5 rings, the personal message, and the annoying redundant lady...you've gone into two minutes; which is why people are bitching.I think the point is that we all know how to leave a voicemail now...unless you're under 1 or over 101.
tayloristehsuxJul 31, 2009
I think this dude might be my new hero.
Closed AccountJul 31, 2009
While you're at it, describe the locations of the 1 and 5 keys on the keypad.
honoredmuleJul 31, 2009
Dugg for "vociferously," a word I don't see used nearly often enough.The length of voice mail messages is exasperating. I find it totally plausible that their time-wasting drone could be engineered just to rake in more talk time, but they don't get it from me. Voicemail is such a barbaric and clunky system that I just boycott it altogether. Though my plan includes voice mail (would cost more to explicitly exclude it), I demanded they disable it anyway, and when I others miss my calls, I text them instead of leaving a message. In fact I pretty much use texting just for leaving messages or in place of quick "status alert" calls (and happen to pay very little for that, also included in a bundled plan).When Apple announced visual voice mail, I was shocked at how much praise fans heaped upon them for finally implementing what is the most brain-dead obvious advancement of voice mail into a late 20th century technology level. I'll call it 21st century when I can click on a listed message play/fast-forward/rewind/delete it without having to first dial into the voice mail server, at which point we'll finally have what I expected to be ubiquitous by 2005: a basic and straightforward push-voice-mail protocol and interactive client.You'd think the snail's pace of advancement in telecommunications would be an obvious indicator of how deeply unhealthy the market place is, but apparently average North Americans only expect regular technological advancement for their computers, TVs, light bulbs, plumbing, cars, watches, and picture frames.
mjeacomaJul 31, 2009
I don't see how to turn it off on AT&T
mjeacomaJul 31, 2009
Just went on AT&T's live chat to ask a representative - it took 15 minutes to finally get a person, then about 3-4 minutes between 2 questions and finally it Timed Out on me - here is my conversation (I added the 'Timed Out' to let you know where we left off). All representatives are currently assisting other customers. At this time, our average wait is 1 minutes and you are # 1 Thank you for your patience. A representative will be with you shortly. Welcome to AT&T Technical Support Chat. My name is 'Wanda Reese' and I’ll be happy to assist you today.Me: Hello - How can I turn OFF the pre-recorded voicemail instructions on our cell phones so I get a beep immediately after my personal recorded message? I understand iPhone users have this with AT&T so I know it is possible.Wanda Reese: I will be more than happy to assist you, Mr. Me.Me: thank youMe: It is a relief that you will assist me to turn this feature OFFMe: Wanda - it has been a few minutes - are you still there?Wanda Reese: Mr. Me, please hold with me for 2 to 3 minutes while I check the device tutorial for that information.Me: ok - thank youWanda Reese: Mr. Me,which Razr do you have?Me: Motorola Razr - we have 2Wanda Reese: The iPhone has many options that are not available with other phone. Wanda Reese: Our voice mail platform requires the voice mail prompts be in place for your voice mail.Me: Well this isn't a phone option - this is a voicemail option which I imagine would be based on your voicemail features NOT the phone itselfMe: Why is that? Wanda Reese: <a class="user" href="https://www.wireless.att.com/support/deviceTutorials.do?deviceId=9850&amp;universe=att">https://www.wireless.att.com/support/deviceTutoria ...</a> Wanda Reese: Please open the link from your PC. This is a device guide to show you all options to use with your phone.Me: What is the reason the instructions are repeated each time someone calls?Me: Is there a hotkey to skip it?Wanda Reese: For other options that you may need with the device. Please contact Motorola by calling 866-289-6686. Their hours of operation are Mon - Fri 8 AM - 11PM Sat and Sun 10 AM - PM ET.Me: This is an AT&T issue - not a Physical Phone issueMe: Is there a skip feature?Me: so callers do not need to listen to this same 15 second message every time they leave me a message?Wanda Reese: We do not have a skip feature for the voice mail prompts. I do apologize, Mr. Me.Me: Why do iPhone users have it but others do not?Wanda Reese: Yes, I do understand. Thank you.Wanda Reese: Mr. Me, have you been able to open the device guide?Me: Yes - it is NOT a Phone Device issue - it is 100% an AT&T issue - Me: Just to Clarify - You CANNOT Disable the Voicemail Instructions for my AT&T Cell Phone Family Plan?Wanda Reese: That is correct. the device guide would allow you to view other phone option. Our systems do not skip the voice mail routing, message.Me: But the iPhone doesMe: Are you saying that the iPhone has special features in the phone that will allow me to skip these instructions?Me: Are you still there? Timed-Out