So cool -- WOXY on my Sprint Phone

[beergeek]

So I've got this killer new smartphone, the Treo 600 for Sprint. Fantastic phone -- Palm OS 5 based. Works great. I've been happy with it.

Then today the company that makes Pocket Tunes, an MP3 player for Palm OS 5 devices (http://www.pocket-tunes.com/) comes out with a beta version that allows you to play Shoutcast streams. Hmmm I was thinking -- 97X on my phone?

I tried it and it actually worked. Played it for 5 minutes and it didn't break up once. Now I can listen to 97x anywhere. Even out here in San Francisco when I'm sittin on the bus.

The question is -- since unlimited Vision service isn't really unlimited, I wonder if I will be charged for listening to 97X for hours at a time? I guess we'll see....

Cheers,
Jeff

[Bryan]

That freakin rules. I knew it was only a matter of time. But if there's some sort of data transfer limit, you're gonna get hosed.

1 hr @ 56k = 25.2 MB
1 hr @ 24k = 10.8 MB

Is the sound quality OK? About the same as listening to it over a computer via headphones? Yeah, I know 56k MP3 doesn't sound all that great in the first place. =)

[beergeek]

The sound quality is just the same as on the computer -- at least when using stereo headphones. It's no so great over the mono speaker in the phone.....

I'm laying low for now though -- I'll let other people discover first if they get charged for the "unlimited" vision usage!!!

There's another software package called MMPlayer (I think) that's working on getting real streams working. That should also be interesting.

And I can't recommend this Treo 600 phone enough. It's fantastic!

Cheers,
Jeff

[RichmondVA]

Okay, anyone got anymore info on this?

I'm probably getting a Treo 600 on Sprint PCS. For an extra $15 you get unlimited web access and web messaging. So if I can get WOXY and listen to it at the coffeeshop or whatever it will be well worth it.

[Bryan]

Well, here's what I've dug up from Sprint's Terms of Service. Some interesting notes on the PCS Vision service:
Data usage is calculated on a per kilobyte basis. If you have not selected a PCS Vision Pack, you will be charged a casual usage rate of $.01 for each kilobyte when accessing PCS Vision. Data usage is rounded up to the next whole kilobyte. Rounding occurs at the end of each session or each clock hour and, at that time, we will deduct accumulated data usage from your plan, or assess overage or casual usage charges. You are responsible for all data activity from and to your phone/device, regardless of who initiates the activity. You will be charged for partial/interrupted data downloads, including data that is automatically resent, and for unsuccessful attempts to reach websites, use applications or services.
So these guys are ALL about charging by the KB which is the kiss of death for any streaming media application. And if you're interested, paying $0.01/KB would work out to paying $1.80 per minute to listen to our low bandwidth 24kbps MP3 stream. But...
Unlimited PCS Vision plans/options are only available with phones or PCS smart phones where the device is not being used as a modem in connection with other equipment (e.g., computers, PDAs, etc.) through use of connection kits or other phone-to-computer/PDA accessories, or Bluetooth or other wireless technology. Sprint reserves the right to deny or to terminate service without notice for any misuse.
Now this is interesting. OK on that point. A Treo 600 is not technically a third-party device since the MP3 player is in the phone itself. But I'm sure that Sprint wasn't planning on people listening to Internet radio, which brings us to the next section I found:
PCS Vision. Sprint may deny or terminate service without notice where use is in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections. PCS Vision Packs are: (a) only available with a Vision capable PCS Phone or PCS smart phone device; and (b) not available with Connection Cards, Aircards, or any other device used in connection with a computer or PDA - including phones, smart phones or other devices used with connection kits or similar phone-to-computer/PDA accessories. PCS Vision Packs are also not available with Bluetooth Vision capable PCS Phones used as a modem in connection with other devices. Sprint reserves the right to deny or to terminate service without notice for any misuse.
Bingo... that's where you get screwed. You won't get hit with a crapload of overage charges for the data transfer because it's "unlimited," they'll just cancel your Vision service due to "misuse." So anyone want to try this and see how long it takes for Sprint to notice?

[Pretend Girl]

Reading TOS is good, but something I'm always too lazy to do.

Sounds like emusic all over again.

[RichmondVA]

So it sounds like internet streaming would be grounds for getting TOS'd. Guess I won't chance it. And I can't say I really have a problem with the policy-- that's a lot of bandwidth I'd be eating up.

[StankCheeze]

Get T-Mo. 1000/unlimited for 40 bucks in Cincinnati and affiliate markets, and free GPRS. Plus GSM has kickass phones. Can't beat that :)

[The Engineer]

So, I am going to test the TOS on a employee plan. (A good friend of mine is willing to put her employee plan and job(?) up for the test.) I will be using a Treo 600 to pump out 97X whenever I am in the car.

The questions is: Any good ideas on how to play it across my Kenwood KDC-MPV622 CD/MP3 player?

Thanks!

[RichmondVA]

Might want to read this (http://discussion.treocentral.com/tcforum/-t43680/s056610d332deb900726d34a14938bb93.html) before you try it.

[The Engineer]

I certainly appreciate the link. Our situation will be a little different as it begins on an employee plan and I am doing it while she is at work.
Our plan is this: I use it for an hour at a time, while she is at work. That way she can keep her eye on any attempt to charge the account for usage. Hopefully that will keep us out of hot water. If not, we fall back on the "Its an employee plan, show leniency" excuse.