SquareTrade

Congrats.

Congratulations to our contest winners Ana C. from Puerto Rico and Howard H. from Tennessee.  They'll each get a $100 Amazon gift certificates for being the (randomly) chosen ones who completed our customer survey last month.  And thanks to everyone else who completed it.  Knowing exactly what you think about SquareTrade helps keep us on our toes.

Ear buds keep falling out? I hear ya.

Seriously, a gust of wind will pop those suckers out faster than you can say Apple.  Just when I was starting to get concerned that my ear canals were abnormally shaped, I discovered that many others are having the same problem. 

There are two solutions that I found that modify the iPhone ear buds (or any Apple ear buds, for that matter):

Griffin EarJams - $19.99  Snap these onto your Apple ear buds and turn them into the in-ear style buds.  Each set comes with 3 sizes so you're sure to get the right fit.  Plus they come with a handy case for carrying all of the sets, in case your earholes spontaneously change size while you're out and about.

BudFits - $8.99 These inventive (but possibly a bit dorky) little gadgets snap onto the outside of your ear buds and turn them into those sport-type ear buds with the rubber extensions that go behind your ear to keep them from falling out.  I just ordered these yesterday, so I'll report back once I've gone for a couple of good long runs with them on.

If you just don't like the Apple ear buds at all and want to replace them, note that not just any set of earphones will work.  Check out Art of the iPhone's reviews on some full-featured earphones that'll work well with your iPhone.

Don't cry over spilled milk.

Even if it is slowly seeping into the keypad of your brand new cell phone.

Just came across this Tech Clinic from Popular Mechanics on how to dry a wet cell phone and possibly bring it back to life.  So if you didn't add Accidental Damage coverage for your cell before you sunk it (and you probably really wish you had), there could still be a glimmer of hope.

Finally, you have a reason to start saving those weird little do-not-eat-me silica gel packets that come in the stuff you buy.

Cool t-shirt giveaway

 

Want to get your hands on one of these cool t-shirts designed by SquareTrade's own Angie Chang?  Leave us a comment about why you think you should get one, why you love SquareTrade, your coolest iPhone waiting-in-line story, or whatever else is on your mind.  We'll contact the authors of our favorite five comments and send shirts their way.  Oh, and don't forget to include a way for us to contact you.

We'll pick our favorites at the end of the day on Wednesday, July 16th.

 

sent from my iPhone

iPhone 3G line video -- Palo Alto Stanford Shopping Center

3 and a half hours and $200 later, a new 3G iPhone

3 and a half hours and $200 later, Jill has a new 3G iPhone
Originally uploaded by thisgirlangie

Finally! It was worth the wait!

Giving away free stuff to iPhone buyers and talking about SquareTrade all morning was so much fun... but really tiring! The reward for dragging myself out of bed at the crack of dawn was well worth it though. I became an iPhoner at 1:28 PM.

Planning on waiting in line for the new iPhone 3G?

We'll see you there.

Nobody is quite sure what to expect as far as how long the waits will be.  We could see shorter lines because a shortage of iPhones is not expected, but we could see longer lines because of the in-store activation policy (store personnel is going to have to spend more time with each customer).  What we do know is that the waiting has already begun.

If you live in the Bay area and want to snag a free super cool silicone protective cover for your new phone, look for us at local Apple stores.  We'll be stopping by to chat and give away free stuff all morning long.

We'll see you at the San Francisco main store on Stockton St., the San Francisco Chestnut St. store, the San Francisco Stonestown store on 20th Ave. and Palo Alto University Ave store (this is where I'll be!)

By the way, I know you want to make it there early and wait as long as it takes to get your hands on one, so avoid jeopardizing your career by using these helpful tips for calling in sick on iPhone launch day. 

You have options.

Lots of people have been asking for details, so here’s the full scoop on the SquareTrade warranty options that’ll be available for the new iPhone 3G:

For 12% of your iPhone’s retail price, you’ll get 3 years of coverage that comes with a 5 day service guarantee. Your phone will be fixed quickly, and if it’s beyond repair you’ll get cash for the full replacement cost so you can buy a new one. Or you can use the cash to buy a cheaper phone and spend the rest on snacks, extend a loan to an entrepreneur in a developing country, take up underwater basket weaving, or whatever.  No refurbs as replacements, no matter what.

So, here’s how it all stacks up. I threw in the specs on AppleCare too, because I know that’s what a lot of people will be considering since it’s the only thing available right in the store when you get your phone. But you have options:

If you think you might be accident prone or just not as lucky as this guy, check out Accidental Damage from Handling coverage. It’s a little bit of an extra expense, but it might end up saving you some heartache.

Personally, I’m really excited about the new iPhone pricing because I don't have AT&T yet... it only applies with a new 2-year contract with them.  So if you don’t get warranty coverage, you’re going to have to pay the full non subsidized price if you ever need to replace your phone (and make sure you type in the full replacement cost when you get a warranty quote so you’re eligible for the full amount of coverage). That’s $399 or $499 – a.k.a. a small fortune.

Could this be love?

I made it. Normally an early adopter, this time I resisted the urge for about a year. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly stand it another day without an iPhone, Steve Jobs held a press conference to lure me in. “Jill... it’s time,” he said.

Well, he kind of said that. He might have actually said something more along the lines of “more affordable, GPS, faster, blah, blah,” it doesn’t matter. I’m in. But, is the iPhone really the best? Or do I want one  because it’s, well… just really cool?

Are iPhones so popular because of rationality and a straight up comparison of features with iPhone competitors, or is it an emotional decision people are making? I'll admit it, my iPhonelust is purely emotional. But what about the rest of us -- is it true love or rationality? Maybe a little bit of both.

Let’s look at the original iPhone. Our data shows that people who bought the first generation iPhone wanted to protect it more than people who bought other phones that cost the same. This could simply mean that people view the devices as more fragile than other devices, but it could also mean that the gadgets have a higher perceived value as compared to a device of comparable retail price.

               

Model	% Electing ADH Coverage
Apple iPhone	72%
Blackberry Curve	60%
Other Models in Price Range	42%

Buy a $200 Treo and stuff it in your purse or pocket. Addicting? Yes. Moving? Not so much. Buy a $200 iPhone 3G and I’ll bet you’ll find yourself checking up on it just to see how it’s doing in there. Sounds like rational love to me.

In case you’re one of those people (like me) who plans on waiting in line on July 11^th, keep in mind that SquareTrade is the only warranty service that intends to offer Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) coverage on the new iPhone 3G.  Not even Apple or AT&T are offering it.  Check out the details of ADH here.  And you can sign up right from your shiny new iPhone as you walk away with it, eliminating all the risk when you do your little uncoordinated victory dance in the parking lot.

Calling in Cali goes hands-free.

Much to my mother's dismay, I've been known to drive and dial from time to time.  But how dangerous is it, really?

According to CBS News and researchers at Harvard University, 1 in 20 accidents involve cell phone use.  But these same researchers wonder if that number is significant enough to make changes to state laws.

California thinks it is.

Starting July 1st, hands-free cell phone use will be the only way to talk and stay ticketless in the state.  So unless that phone call is worth a big hassle and 20 to 50 bucks, you might want to hang up your handheld or use a wireless device.  Some key things to keep in mind about the new law:

• Don't use a hands-free device that covers BOTH ears.  I'm guessing that means no iPhone headsets (boooo!), but you could probably get away with taking one of the ear buds out of your ear.
• You don't have to be committing another infraction to get pulled over for this.  Yep, police officers can pull you over if they see you talking on your handset.
• Text messaging is not specifically against the law, but just don't do it.  It's not safe.

Sadly, my Honda Element doesn't have Bluetooth built in.  Your car doesn't either?  You don't have to quit motor mobile-ing cold turkey.  Some options:

• Use the speakerphone function on your mobile phone.
• Get a headset.  Check out CNET's quick guide to Bluetooth headsets for the best picks.
• Get an aftermarket hands-free kit installed in your car.

Since we're all about protection at SquareTrade, we love the better-safe-than-sorry mindset of the Golden State!