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-   -   Sprint Denies PPC customers from sending picmail (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17675)

oli_v_ia83 02-10-2008 02:09 AM

That's weird I just got a pic message on my htc touch and was able to view it and reply a text back as if I had a regular sprint phone (This is my first ppc). And I know I can't send any pic msgs back

guitardoc64 02-10-2008 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oli_v_ia83 (Post 182209)
That's weird I just got a pic message on my htc touch and was able to view it and reply a text back as if I had a regular sprint phone (This is my first ppc). And I know I can't send any pic msgs back

Yeah, they aren't blocking the incoming picmail, just outgoing picmail messages from WM devices.

cyburke 02-10-2008 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeekHoles (Post 181903)
There are some people at sprintusers that installed Mbuni Open Source MMS Gateway and can now send mms picture mail. I'm looking into this aswell I have my own server and may give it a try.


do you know who any of these peeps are? i've looked on sprintusers and only seen this opensource mms referenced once.

i would like to install it but my server runs windoze. :(

wldthng842 02-10-2008 03:40 PM

Again I do not speak for Sprint, and I don't work anywhere near the division that controls this stuff.

But think about it, what exactly did Sprint do that was wrong? They sold you a phone under the premise that it does not support MMS and you are complaining that it now doesn't work. Am I saying it is right? No! I hate it just as much as the rest of you and have signed all the petitions.

The only reason I said to contact HTC was that they could build it into the new rom due out for GPS and rev A. They can influence Sprint to fix the problem since their website is posting conflicting evidence.

Sprint from a legal point has done absolutely wrong. From a moral point of view they pissed us all off by doing something we fell they shouldn't have.

Don't hate me for what my company did to both you and me. I didn't do it and I'm not justifying them doing it, but they have the power and the legal ability to do it and there is not a thing we can do about it.

sexipink 02-10-2008 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oli_v_ia83 (Post 182209)
That's weird I just got a pic message on my htc touch and was able to view it and reply a text back as if I had a regular sprint phone (This is my first ppc). And I know I can't send any pic msgs back

you can send pic msgs, its a lil complicated but it can be done. did u see my eairlier post. i have a mogul and my boyfriend has a touch an we both send pic mail

sbello81 02-10-2008 07:56 PM

sprint's answer to me
 
hey guys, this was my question, and the answer i got from sprint regarding MMS. pretty sure they don't care at all because we were all doing it illegally.

Question: Hello, i am writing to voice my extreme displeasure of you blocking picturemail recently on all of the PPCs that you carry. i currently own a 6700 and sending pictures via email while very much cheaper phones can use MMS is extremely foolish and aggravating. I am currently off contract and was waiting for something thinner and stable to come out to renew, but rest assured i probably won't be doing that anytime soon. more than likely, i'll be switching to either the Voyager or the Tilt, which are both superior to the best device that you guys offer. I had been staying with Sprint because of the customer service and clarity, but i've been paying for a service that has been blocked on my device for no good reason at all. even partially refunding me for the picture mail aspect of my plan wouldn't satisfy me at this point.

Answer: We have not blocked picturemail on the Pocket PC devices. PPC devices can still receive picturemail. As far as sending it, pictures can be sent via email. This has been the case for some time.

Our IT group did make some changes to our MMS server recently. We implemented measures designed to help prevent pornographic picturemail spam, which we received a large volume of complaints about over the last month.

It would appear that these security changes, which included increased blocking on access to the server by non-Sprint applications, had the side effect of disabling a popular but unauthorized third party MMS "hack" that has been used by PPC users for some time.

We do not have the power in our department to reverse these changes, nor can we log tickets for this issue as MMS is not a service we offer on the PPC devices. We apologize again for any inconvenience.

Thank you again for contacting Sprint. We appreciate your business.

Robert H.
E-Care
Sprint

guitardoc64 02-10-2008 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbello81 (Post 182693)
hey guys, this was my question, and the answer i got from sprint regarding MMS. pretty sure they don't care at all because we were all doing it illegally.

Question: Hello, i am writing to voice my extreme displeasure of you blocking picturemail recently on all of the PPCs that you carry. i currently own a 6700 and sending pictures via email while very much cheaper phones can use MMS is extremely foolish and aggravating. I am currently off contract and was waiting for something thinner and stable to come out to renew, but rest assured i probably won't be doing that anytime soon. more than likely, i'll be switching to either the Voyager or the Tilt, which are both superior to the best device that you guys offer. I had been staying with Sprint because of the customer service and clarity, but i've been paying for a service that has been blocked on my device for no good reason at all. even partially refunding me for the picture mail aspect of my plan wouldn't satisfy me at this point.

Answer: We have not blocked picturemail on the Pocket PC devices. PPC devices can still receive picturemail. As far as sending it, pictures can be sent via email. This has been the case for some time.

Our IT group did make some changes to our MMS server recently. We implemented measures designed to help prevent pornographic picturemail spam, which we received a large volume of complaints about over the last month.

It would appear that these security changes, which included increased blocking on access to the server by non-Sprint applications, had the side effect of disabling a popular but unauthorized third party MMS "hack" that has been used by PPC users for some time.

We do not have the power in our department to reverse these changes, nor can we log tickets for this issue as MMS is not a service we offer on the PPC devices. We apologize again for any inconvenience.

Thank you again for contacting Sprint. We appreciate your business.

Robert H.
E-Care
Sprint

Well, that makes sense for a change. It even seems plausible, but still has a certain "fragrance" that somehow reminds me of rodeos.....

Soundy 02-10-2008 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wldthng842 (Post 182509)
Don't hate me for what my company did to both you and me. I didn't do it and I'm not justifying them doing it, but they have the power and the legal ability to do it and there is not a thing we can do about it.

But there is: Sprint customers who are unhappy with this can vote with their proverbial feet... and wallets. And encourage others to do the same. Money is the only thing that these people will listen to, and if it speaks loudly enough, they will be a lot more encouraged to change their policies.

We're not talking about their blocking MMS on your HTC phones specifically, but the overall policy that MMS "isn't a business tool", and the general shoddy treatment of their customers.

cyburke 02-10-2008 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbello81 (Post 182693)
Our IT group did make some changes to our MMS server recently. We implemented measures designed to help prevent pornographic picturemail spam, which we received a large volume of complaints about over the last month.

It would appear that these security changes, which included increased blocking on access to the server by non-Sprint applications, had the side effect of disabling a popular but unauthorized third party MMS "hack" that has been used by PPC users for some time.

the first plausible reason and response i've read from sprint yet regarding this recent mms block... i've been on all the forums that i know of and everyone is saying something different.

thanks for posting up this response from sprint.

Soundy 02-11-2008 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyburke (Post 182838)
the first plausible reason and response i've read from sprint yet regarding this recent mms block... i've been on all the forums that i know of and everyone is saying something different.

thanks for posting up this response from sprint.

Which, of course, still doesn't answer why they removed the *legitimate* functionality from those phones in the first place....

neodorian 02-11-2008 01:13 AM

I guess they found a legit-sounding way of describing it. Rather than work out any kinks with a theoretical MMS functionality, they bring in the whole fear or unsolicited porn. Rather than just working out a way to prevent MMS spamming they blocked MMS in general on PPCs. I'd be interested in seeing if there were ever any such complaints or if it's just a hole that could be exploited with Windows (mobile or otherwise) and the MMS protocol. I'm sure any porn spammer could just as easily alter their script to send an email to 123-456-7890@pm.sprint.com instead of just sending an mms to 123-456-7890.

IsLNdbOi 02-11-2008 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wldthng842 (Post 182509)
Again I do not speak for Sprint, and I don't work anywhere near the division that controls this stuff.

But think about it, what exactly did Sprint do that was wrong? They sold you a phone under the premise that it does not support MMS and you are complaining that it now doesn't work. Am I saying it is right? No! I hate it just as much as the rest of you and have signed all the petitions.

The only reason I said to contact HTC was that they could build it into the new rom due out for GPS and rev A. They can influence Sprint to fix the problem since their website is posting conflicting evidence.

Sprint from a legal point has done absolutely wrong. From a moral point of view they pissed us all off by doing something we fell they shouldn't have.

Don't hate me for what my company did to both you and me. I didn't do it and I'm not justifying them doing it, but they have the power and the legal ability to do it and there is not a thing we can do about it.

Sprint's taking our $5.00 a month for the picture mail / MMS service and then disabling it or not allowing it on our WM phones. So why are they taking our $5.00 a month then if they know we can't use that $5.00 a month service with our WM phones?

What do you mean by "...they could build it into the new ROM..."? The necessary software is in there already. Sprint just blocked the use of the software.

itsall_cooool 02-11-2008 01:55 AM

LoL at 'porn'...that is just too funny.

Regular 'dumb phone' users can send whatever they like, its just us PPC users who have clogged the network by sending porn?

wow, someone there has a whole bunch of screws loose... this seems more like retribution over all the GPS and Video Driver complaints than anything else....

wldthng842 02-11-2008 02:01 AM

The software was removed from both the mogul and the touch before release on sprint. Alltel chose to keep it which is where the hacked version came in.

You are choosing to pay the $5 per month, you also know and have known that this feature is not supported. You can call and cancel paying the $5 a month any time as it is not tied to your contract. Only you know why you choose to pay for a service that you know does not work. It is kindov like paying for DSL from Att even though you live in the sticks and know it is not available and then calling ATT and saying where is my DSL.

wldthng842 02-11-2008 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundy (Post 182907)
Which, of course, still doesn't answer why they removed the *legitimate* functionality from those phones in the first place....


This is why I said complaining to HTC would have been a better option. They say on their website that it is a supported feature. If they build it in the next ROM then "It would appear that these security changes, which included increased blocking on access to the server by non-Sprint applications, had the side effect of disabling a popular but unauthorized third party MMS "hack" that has been used by PPC users for some time." Would not be a problem as it is no longer unsupported 3rd party software.

guitardoc64 02-11-2008 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neodorian (Post 182963)
I guess they found a legit-sounding way of describing it. Rather than work out any kinks with a theoretical MMS functionality, they bring in the whole fear or unsolicited porn. Rather than just working out a way to prevent MMS spamming they blocked MMS in general on PPCs. I'd be interested in seeing if there were ever any such complaints or if it's just a hole that could be exploited with Windows (mobile or otherwise) and the MMS protocol. I'm sure any porn spammer could just as easily alter their script to send an email to 123-456-7890@pm.sprint.com instead of just sending an mms to 123-456-7890.

A valid point, it seems more of a plausible cover story than an actuality. They obviously have set up new server protocols. Wonder what some of the minds here could do with the Arcsoft app to make it appear more "legitimate" to the Sprint server....More like a dumbphone...

guitardoc64 02-11-2008 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundy (Post 182907)
Which, of course, still doesn't answer why they removed the *legitimate* functionality from those phones in the first place....

According to Sprint's exec, it was disabled because it "created problems and slowdowns of the devices"...In other words they disabled it to prevent complaints. Ironic, dontcha think?

wldthng842 02-11-2008 03:00 AM

more like complete stupidity. but that is how sprint runs their business. And I see little hope for that changing even with Hesse at the Helm

jimmiekain 02-11-2008 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaun0207 (Post 177798)
The question I have is... why? What would it benefit Sprint to block PPC users from sending Picmail? Do they not think that business users send pictures?


This is exactly what i wanna know! I could see if they had a service for the phones that we could pay for, but they dont. Us using the free mms didnt cost them a dime and shouldnt have made a differnce because they dont offer the service on the phone in the first place. Sprint better clean there act up or I'm leaving and i know im just one person but im sure others feel the same way. I have a sero plan, and even with that this phone is garbage! Fact is i was ready to sell this damn thing pay the fee to cancel and go to vzw or att the only thing that made it good enough to keep was the pic mail now they come up with this stupid bull??? This is just sad! Last day of March thats my limit if evdo rev. A is not on my phone or if i can download a new rom with it on there by then im out! No joke! I will pay the fee and go to another carrier! this is total bull!

Soundy 02-11-2008 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wldthng842 (Post 183004)
This is why I said complaining to HTC would have been a better option. They say on their website that it is a supported feature. If they build it in the next ROM then "It would appear that these security changes, which included increased blocking on access to the server by non-Sprint applications, had the side effect of disabling a popular but unauthorized third party MMS "hack" that has been used by PPC users for some time." Would not be a problem as it is no longer unsupported 3rd party software.

Complaining to HTC is pointless: it's not their call (pardon the pun).

Sprint goes to HTC. They say, "We want to carry these phones of yours; we want X-thousand of each, and we want you to customize them like this...". HTC modifies the phones the way Sprint (or any other carrier) wants them. In other words, they're giving their customer what they ask for.

If you were to buy your phone directly from HTC, you can probably get it with all features unlocked and intact, or theoretically even customized to your own specs (although I doubt they'd do that for "just one" phone), but if you buy it from Sprint, you get the version that is made *to Sprint's specs*.

There is no REASON to complain about HTC - you are not their customer, Sprint is.

nOObiE do0 02-11-2008 01:28 PM

Sprint took away mms on ppc and t-mobile enhances theirs?
But I think its fake as Sprint says ppcs cant do mms.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ftware-update/

Seriously this is messed up.They should refund 5 dollars a month.

wldthng842 02-11-2008 01:35 PM

The won't refund it as you are paying for a feature you know is not supported. If you want to stop paying it they would be more than glad to remove it from your account.

Complaining to HTC does have validity. They falsely quote the phone as having MMS and then allowed it to be sold without the feature. This is false advertising. They cannot tell Sprint to change but they could influence it if enough people were screaming false advertising and threatening a law suit.

nOObiE do0 02-11-2008 01:45 PM

I understand what you are saying..But in this age where phones can do alot of things when you see their commercials.And your plan supports it,It should work and not artificially crippled by any company.
Maybe people should get together and make commercials showing what companies dont do.

billyman 02-11-2008 02:08 PM

I keep reading people say they can still receive picture texts, but I can't view picture texts sent to me. When I receive one, it comes in the form of a link (like always). When I click on that link, the page loads, but the pic is not visable. I have to forward that text message to my home or work email and open the link on my PC.

Aditionally there's a lot of chatter about emailing pics, but I have tried sending myself a picture text by sending an email to <my10digit#@pm.sprint.com> and the text never is rec'd. Has anyone else experienced this?

One other thing and this might be a dumb question (but I'm dumb when it comes to this sort of stuff). If the MMS is just an IP gateway, and the vzw gateway is still working, why can't we just configure our phones to use the vzw gateway?

fiyah 02-11-2008 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyman (Post 183333)
Aditionally there's a lot of chatter about emailing pics, but I have tried sending myself a picture text by sending an email to <my10digit#@pm.sprint.com> and the text never is rec'd. Has anyone else experienced this?

Nope. Maybe you never tried using picture mail before and have to initiate some sort of service to get it. I have been using picture mail long before I got my mogul and emailing a picture to that address works for me.

Simpdapimp 02-11-2008 03:59 PM

Possibly a stupid question but can Arcsoft's MMS be configured to send using email instead of phone number?

neodorian 02-11-2008 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyman (Post 183333)
I keep reading people say they can still receive picture texts, but I can't view picture texts sent to me. When I receive one, it comes in the form of a link (like always). When I click on that link, the page loads, but the pic is not visable. I have to forward that text message to my home or work email and open the link on my PC.

You might have to reset your user agent string.

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/attachment...4&d=1192244632

sexipink 02-11-2008 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyman (Post 183333)
I keep reading people say they can still receive picture texts, but I can't view picture texts sent to me. When I receive one, it comes in the form of a link (like always). When I click on that link, the page loads, but the pic is not visable. I have to forward that text message to my home or work email and open the link on my PC.

Aditionally there's a lot of chatter about emailing pics, but I have tried sending myself a picture text by sending an email to <my10digit#@pm.sprint.com> and the text never is rec'd. Has anyone else experienced this?

One other thing and this might be a dumb question (but I'm dumb when it comes to this sort of stuff). If the MMS is just an IP gateway, and the vzw gateway is still working, why can't we just configure our phones to use the vzw gateway?



maybe you need to set up your picture mail account. log into you sprint account online and click on the picture mail link.

inferno14u 02-11-2008 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wldthng842 (Post 182998)
The software was removed from both the mogul and the touch before release on sprint. Alltel chose to keep it which is where the hacked version came in.

You are choosing to pay the $5 per month, you also know and have known that this feature is not supported. You can call and cancel paying the $5 a month any time as it is not tied to your contract. Only you know why you choose to pay for a service that you know does not work. It is kindov like paying for DSL from Att even though you live in the sticks and know it is not available and then calling ATT and saying where is my DSL.

If you lived in the sticks and tried to order DSL, ATT wouldn't give it to you. It isn't the same thing. Most people upgraded from "normal" phones and had plans with MMS. I am sure the majority of reps who managed the upgrade never mentioned the fact that MMS was not possible on these phones. The funny thing about it, is that adding MMS wouldn't use any more data than having to send them via email. The main difference is the extra complication for us to try to figure out which provider our recipients are using. The whole "porn" thing doesn't hold any water as one other person pointed out...it is just as easy to program a bot to spam an email address as it is a phone number. For someone not speaking for Sprint, you sure are trying to do a lot of covering for them....

Edwood 02-11-2008 11:10 PM

Yet another reason to drop Sprint. The second they start blocking tethering on SERO, Sprint is gone from my household.

-Ed

wldthng842 02-12-2008 01:08 AM

I agree completely that the porn thing is a crock of BS used to cover a stupid decision.

I understand that most people upgraded from a basic phone. I also understand that when you bought the phone you were told there was no MMS, it is then up to you to know what you are paying for or ask. If you would have asked then they would have removed it. Plus I would assume that the majority of users are on a power vision plan in which unlimited MMS is included, when supported.

I am not covering for them, if I was I would be justifying their decision. I am just pointing out that it is your own fault for continuing to pay for something you know is not supported.

inferno14u 02-12-2008 07:30 AM

I cannot speak for everyone else, but I was never told by a Sprint Rep that MMS was not available when I upgraded. I found out after I left the store, but I also found out a way around it that same day as well. Because I had been with Sprint for a while prior to me switching to a PPC, I was on a grandfathered plan which is cheaper than some current plans. The reps told me that it would be better to keep my plan than to upgrade as it would end up costing me less if I stuck with my plan than if I upgraded to current data plans. It isn't about the money for me, but at the same time, I can't understand how a company can knowingly charge someone for something they know isn't available and try to justify it. I am sure that a class action lawsuit could make Sprint change their stance on this, but it isn't worth the time or effort to go through with it. If they don't change this by the time my current contract is up(due to adding a line), they will lose me as a customer.

sexyjay_noroolz 02-12-2008 10:53 AM

I agree with inferno14. When I purchased my phone and was putting the feautures on it, they never told me this phone does not support it. I had the plan with the TV capabilities ($25.00) a month and the rep signed me up and because I did some research I found out that the phone does not support these features. This is ridiculous. I have a friend that has the mogul with another carrier and they have these capabilities. Sprint is about to lose a faithful customer unless they do something about this. I am tired of the use and abuse they do to their customers. They need to be put on blast.

bikermanb 02-12-2008 09:04 PM

nice try
 
that is where you are wrong, wldthng842 , I was told when I purchased this phone that picture mail very good on this phone. in fact I said about 5 times that I send alot of text pics and The lady said no problem, therefore false advertising by sprint personell. as a matter of fact I didnt care when I found out it didnt work,cause the hack worked great, then sprint blocked it. I went into the store and said something to the gal about pic mail not textable, she said ya I JUST found out, and she has alot of mad customers and was already getting alot of returns and expected alot more. Pisses me off cause i love the phone, but now not sure what I want to do.

wldthng842 02-12-2008 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikermanb (Post 184768)
that is where you are wrong, wldthng842 , I was told when I purchased this phone that picture mail very good on this phone. in fact I said about 5 times that I send alot of text pics and The lady said no problem, therefore false advertising by sprint personell. as a matter of fact I didnt care when I found out it didnt work,cause the hack worked great, then sprint blocked it. I went into the store and said something to the gal about pic mail not textable, she said ya I JUST found out, and she has alot of mad customers and was already getting alot of returns and expected alot more. Pisses me off cause i love the phone, but now not sure what I want to do.

This girl appears to be a rather isolated incident. I would go back and talk to her, but you need to know what you want her to do. Fixing it is out of the question, but returning or letting out of contract is not if that is what she said.

wldthng842 02-12-2008 10:41 PM

Also, there have been some interesting comments posted on another forum about the possible legitimacy of the porn excuse. Instead of copy past several here is a link for any that are interested.

http://www.phonenews.com/forums/inde...showtopic=2771

guitardoc64 02-12-2008 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wldthng842 (Post 183988)
I agree completely that the porn thing is a crock of BS used to cover a stupid decision.

Yeah, in all the looking into this issue I have YET to hear of one single incidence of porn picmail, haven't yet recieved any myself either...

wldthng842 02-12-2008 10:46 PM

Porn, maybe not but spam MMS, yes sir, happens all the time and I know it is something they want to eliminate. Granted this is NOT a permanent solution that is acceptable.

jparks29 02-12-2008 10:52 PM

Lemme get this straight. I pay for a service, and the company that I PAY to provide that service BLOCKS that service, and still charges me for it? AND somehow that's acceptable behavior?

W T F are you thinking Sprint?

wldthng842 02-12-2008 10:57 PM

You are paying for a service that you know is not supported, I view it as more of an error on your part rather than Sprint doing something wrong. I understand paying for it if it enables a hack and Sprint looks the other way. But if there was never a hack in the first place would you pay for it? If yes then I would tend to question your rationale. If no, then why are you still paying for a service you know doesn't work?


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