ObiRadio

[AlanB]

Once upon a time there was a very large radio station, WGOO, located in MajorMetropolis.  WGOO had a transponder station located in a nearby MinorCity that was just outside the reach of WGOO.  WGOO was very popular.

A few engineers figured out a way to make a device that could pick up the frequency of the transponder station anywhere in the country (and other parts of the world too).  They marketed this device under the name ObiRadio.

People loved their ObiRadio because they could now listen to WGOO wherever they went.  No more changing stations when they left MajorMetropolis.  ObiRadio could pick up several other stations throughout the country as well, but most people preferred to listen to WGOO.

One day WGOO announced that in seven months they would be upgrading WGOO from analog to digital and boosting the signal.  Thus, the transponder station would be shut down. 

Unfortunately, ObiRadio couldn't be reprogrammed to pick up the main WGOO station, just the transponder station.

Many ObiRadio owners cried foul.  They were very upset with WGOO.  They went on online forum after online forum asking when WGOO would change their mind.  ObiRadio even suggested alternative radio stations for a reduced price, much cheaper than satellite radio.  But, the people were still upset.  Even though they had never paid a dime to WGOO, they felt it was their constitutional right to listen to WGOO anywhere they went.

They were also very mad at ObiRadio.  Even though they had paid less than they might have spent on one meal at a restaurant, and enjoyed ObiRadio for a long time, the thought that they may now have to spend a little more seemed very unfair. They felt that they had been promised free WGOO on their ObiRadio for live.

Some ObiRadio listeners tried other stations, and many found that they even enjoyed these stations better than WGOO.  Some still missed WGOO, but were willing to pay a fee to keep using their ObiRadio as they traveled.  These listeners soon grew weary of the constant questions about whether WGOO would change their mind and what to do about it. 

How does this story end?

[vtsnaab]

For this appreciative WGOO user, it was always known that the 'free ride' could not possibly be forever.

As it stands, I got years of great phone services & usage for the cost of an Obi box.

No complaints. No griping here.

But:
I do want to keep my Obi box & phone working with new & inexpensive services to replace good 'ol WGOO.

I must also add that I did get very spoiled with a free number & great SMS, VM & email features all included.

Prior to this I used Skype with an adapter and it was not nearly as good in any way despite being a paid service - so I am very grateful to WGOO for the usage I got out of it !!!

That's my 2 cents on the matter...next ??

[SteveInWA]

Once upon a time there was a very large radio station, WGOO, located in MajorMetropolis.  WGOO had a transponder station located in a nearby MinorCity that was just outside the reach of WGOO.  WGOO was very popular.

A few engineers figured out a way to make a device that could pick up the frequency of the transponder station anywhere in the country (and other parts of the world too).  They marketed this device under the name ObiRadio.

People loved their ObiRadio because they could now listen to WGOO wherever they went.  No more changing stations when they left MajorMetropolis.  ObiRadio could pick up several other stations throughout the country as well, but most people preferred to listen to WGOO.

One day WGOO announced that in seven months they would be upgrading WGOO from analog to digital and boosting the signal.  Thus, the transponder station would be shut down. 

Unfortunately, ObiRadio couldn't be reprogrammed to pick up the main WGOO station, just the transponder station.

Many ObiRadio owners cried foul.  They were very upset with WGOO.  They went on online forum after online forum asking when WGOO would change their mind.  ObiRadio even suggested alternative radio stations for a reduced price, much cheaper than satellite radio.  But, the people were still upset.  Even though they had never paid a dime to WGOO, they felt it was their constitutional right to listen to WGOO anywhere they went.

They were also very mad at ObiRadio.  Even though they had paid less than they might have spent on one meal at a restaurant, and enjoyed ObiRadio for a long time, the thought that they may now have to spend a little more seemed very unfair. They felt that they had been promised free WGOO on their ObiRadio for live.

Some ObiRadio listeners tried other stations, and many found that they even enjoyed these stations better than WGOO.  Some still missed WGOO, but were willing to pay a fee to keep using their ObiRadio as they traveled.  These listeners soon grew weary of the constant questions about whether WGOO would change their mind and what to do about it. 

How does this story end?

+1 Love it!

At least, on the Google Voice Forum, we can mark posts as duplicates, which locks them and refers them to a thread where the question was already answered.  I assume your story will end on May 15th, when the Obitalk forum crashes because the server catches on fire from overload.

[Usetheforceobiwan]

Alternative Ending:  Having ignored an effective means of outreach to their customers and the advertisers who "paid" for their ears, WGOO found that slowly but surely their market share eroded and dwindled to a previously unimaginable share.  The competing radio stations that they had driven their customers to grew by the same proportion that WGOO had declined.  In the end, with great sadness and a longing for the "old days", the WGOO studios were sold, the building demolished and a parking lot put in it's place.  When the parking lot opened, you could hear "They Paved Paradise" in the background blaring from a radio playing the new #1 station in the region WWON, the one that had taken over the old transponder that WGOO had sold for scrap.  

[Mango]

At first, I was like:



But, then:

[zorlac]

 ObiRadio even suggested alternative radio stations for a reduced price, much cheaper than satellite radio. But, the people were still upset because they seemed to encounter various problems setting up their ObiRadio box with the stations that the makers of ObiRadio actually endorsed as being compatible with the illusion of being click, click, click configurable by the average listener.  

[Usetheforceobiwan]

Another Page turned, Larry listens and knows all ....  

http://www.cnet.com/news/throwback-wednesday-google-docs-google-sheets-returns-from-the-dustbin/

"What's old is new again: Google brings back the Google Docs app.
Google
Welcome back, Google Docs.

Google resurrected standalone mobile apps for Google Docs and Google Sheets on Wednesday, two years after folding the services into Google Drive.

The new Docs and Sheets apps for Android and iOS are available now on Google Play (Docs) (Sheets) and in the App Store (Docs) (Sheets), with a Google Slides app for presentations "coming soon," Google said.

The new apps make it easier for people who use only specific file types to find them, but the change also introduces broad offline support for both Docs and Sheets. You can still access your Docs and Sheets from Drive as well.

Their reintroduction adds a third method by which people can get to their Google Drive-hosted documents and files. In addition to Google Drive, and the new Google Docs and Sheets apps, Google users have QuickOffice. QuickOffice is a bit more business oriented, as it combines Google Drive access with the ability to open Microsoft Office files, though you can do that with most Microsoft Office files in Google Drive, too.

Google declined to clarify how it expects each app to be used."

[vtsnaab]

Methinks the Big G is just...nucking futs.
(Or maybe ordinary mortals are just unable to see their big-picture plan for world data domination ?!?)

[AlanB]

Well the story continues with many users  trying to determine the last exact second that they will be able to enjoy free music. Who knows maybe some bets have been placed as well. All in fun......

The "this was all a hoax" theories took spotlight as well.

[Usetheforceobiwan]

Well the story continues with many users  trying to determine the last exact second that they will be able to enjoy free music. Who knows maybe some bets have been placed as well. All in fun......

The "this was all a hoax" theories took spotlight as well.

Just goes to prove the power of one persons blog post which it appears in hindsite was vague enough to say nothing but appearing to say something of substance.