| Author |
Message |
Groves
Posts: 5
Phone Model:
Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard)
Service Provider:
Cingular Wireless |
 
Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:04 pm |
Well, if any of you have tried to use this "feature," you know that Cingular removed it from the Internet during the most recent site redesign. The most prevalent guess is that it was to minimize spam or unauthorized usage. While the only unwelcome SMS to my phone has been from Cingular, I can still understand the logic.
The problem I have is the absolutely abysmal performance of SMTP delivery. You're dependent on slow e-mail gateways to deliver a message that needs quick response. On top of that, it was nice to have the ability to send one-off messages when your phone wasn't handy.
My question is this: Does anyone at Cingular know what really happened? And, if the spam issue is really the case, why not make the feature available to customers from behind the login? This was something I used quite a bit and it will be severely missed.
Here's to hoping this isn't a final decision.
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Shalalala
Posts: 661 |
Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:13 pm |
It is final.
People were spamming like you said - dont' ever expect to see it on the website again - ever ever.
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elmo01
Posts: 2198
Phone Model:
Samsung SPH-M510
Service Provider:
Bell Canada |
Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:59 pm |
| Groves wrote: | Well, if any of you have tried to use this "feature," you know that Cingular removed it from the Internet during the most recent site redesign. The most prevalent guess is that it was to minimize spam or unauthorized usage. While the only unwelcome SMS to my phone has been from Cingular, I can still understand the logic.
The problem I have is the absolutely abysmal performance of SMTP delivery. You're dependent on slow e-mail gateways to deliver a message that needs quick response. On top of that, it was nice to have the ability to send one-off messages when your phone wasn't handy.
My question is this: Does anyone at Cingular know what really happened? And, if the spam issue is really the case, why not make the feature available to customers from behind the login? This was something I used quite a bit and it will be severely missed.
Here's to hoping this isn't a final decision. |
you can sent a text to a phone with your email program.... the address for email to text is
xxxxxxxxxx@cingularme.com
the x's being the phone number (with area code)
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Groves
Posts: 5
Phone Model:
Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard)
Service Provider:
Cingular Wireless |
Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:50 pm |
| Quote: | you can sent a text to a phone with your email program.... the address for email to text is
xxxxxxxxxx@cingularme.com
the x's being the phone number (with area code) |
Thanks, Elmo, but my middle paragraph points out the issue with e-mail. SMTP is the protocol whereby e-mails are delivered. Unfortunately, I've never had good response time with e-mails to the phone. Recently, I received an automated e-mail to my phone that was 22 minutes after the fact. That's fine for most things, but it won't do for emergencies and anything else that needs a quick response.
Why don't they just put this behind our billing password? It seems like they're accusing their own customers of creating the spam. If it was linked to our billing account, they'd have instant access to stop it and charge the abuser. No other cellphone carriers have taken this drastic step, and its something for which Cingular gave no warning.
Did anyone else depend on this or am I alone, here?
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gerio
Posts: 409
Phone Model:
Motorola Q9 Global (iPhone-free zone)
Service Provider:
AT&T & Cellular South |
Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:55 am |
As for me, I'm usually not around the computer when I send text messages. The few times I used a website, the receiving party wasn't able to directly reply to my message. They always thought that something was wrong with their phone.
I've not missed it.
Geri O
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Groves
Posts: 5
Phone Model:
Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard)
Service Provider:
Cingular Wireless |
Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:42 pm |
Just via e-mail. On the old page, you had the option to provide an e-mail address at the bottom. If you entered one, you'd receive confirmation that the recipient had gotten the message. And, if they replied to the original message (It would be an internal number -- such as 101101101) then it would be forwarded to that e-mail and the conversation could continue from there.
I'm in technology, so the PC was always more handy than the phone. And, we could get a hold of folks instantly through the site. It's a shame to see this go. Heck, I'd even pay the dime per message if they'd attach it to the account.
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justin22
Posts: 213
Phone Model:
Samsung D807, Moto KRZR K1 Red
Service Provider:
Rogers Wireless |
Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:28 pm |
| TheManator wrote: | It is final.
People were spamming like you said - dont' ever expect to see it on the website again - ever ever. |
you need to get your facts straight buddy... As for now it will not be available from www.cingular.com but there will be some additional communications in the upcoming weeks indicating whether or not Message Center or some form of it will return in 2007. Cingular online services are attempting to bring Message Center back in January 2007. The new message center will be located within My Account (a.k.a. OLAM) when it is re-launched
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mark72501
Posts: 6
Service Provider:
Cingular |
Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:38 pm |
| justinflry wrote: | | TheManator wrote: | It is final.
People were spamming like you said - dont' ever expect to see it on the website again - ever ever. |
you need to get your facts straight buddy... As for now it will not be available from www.cingular.com but there will be some additional communications in the upcoming weeks indicating whether or not Message Center or some form of it will return in 2007. Cingular online services are attempting to bring Message Center back in January 2007. The new message center will be located within My Account (a.k.a. OLAM) when it is re-launched |
thanks for the factual update, justinflry. i look forward to it returning and agree that within My Account would be better. Cut-down on spam and maybe allow the setup of an address book/contact list. Keep us posted! Thx.
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Shalalala
Posts: 661 |
Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:54 pm |
Actually - dude - it is final.
I asked Kathy Dowling when she was at our call center last week.
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Groves
Posts: 5
Phone Model:
Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard)
Service Provider:
Cingular Wireless |
Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:15 am |
I guess now would be a good time for us "non-Cingularites" to ask exactly who Kathy Dowling is? A quick search revealed this link:
http://www.cingular.com/about/meet-us/kathleen-dowling.jsp
Kathy is the Senior Vice-President of Customer Service. Someone who, no doubt, will very much appreciate her name being tossed around on a message board.
Would Ms. Dowling be the expert on such subject matter? Would she even care? Does anyone else with Cingular have an idea who might hold power over such decisions? Kathy seems to be at the top of the chain as far as customer service is concerned, so her opinion may very well be law.
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