yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
TwoTapsX is the other reason why I'm growing impatient (granted, in that case it's a problem that I created all my myself). I'd like to see some closure on whether TwoTapsX will get reactivated, or whether TNT Lite stays as the "mostly stock" ROM.

At least if Viewsonic would respond with a guesstimate on when the next firmware is coming, I can stop feeling like I'm sitting in a holding pattern, here. They had no issue giving us an ETA on the December update - they even made it a point on their web site, at the time (I always assumed it was a mixture of allying fears after the Staples pull out and Christmas purchases). So I just want that same consideration with the latest firmware that is allegedly in the works.

Let's assume the worst case scenario, which is that Viewsonic completely abandons us and never releases another firmware update and never reactivates the OTA updater. The hard part is that I'd have to gauge the point where I had given up all hope on VS and then make a decision on what to do.

With that in mind, I might give it a few more weeks (EO April). If we haven't heard anything from them by then and they just blow us all off, I'd do a few things:

- I'd re-host all their old firmware myself, on mediafire. That's just to be sure that they are available to the user base. They've already pulled 3991 off their servers, so there's no reason why they wouldn't do that for old stock firmware too. At least 3588 should be hosted somewhere, imo - and maybe 3991, too.

- I'd re-release TwoTapsX, with the usual warnings and nvflash experience requirement. That's because I'd feel that build 3991 might be the LAST firmware we'll ever see from them, so it's still worth having a mod around.

- I'd probably retire the stock mods after that (after all, what's the point of stock mods if there's no new stock ROMs?). Maybe i'd keep gADAM around, assuming Notion Ink keeps giving us regular updates. I wouldn't necessarily recommend to people to sell their GTABs as the mods here are probably "good enough" for most. But just an understanding that we are probably on our own from now on, if Viewsonic doesn't allay our fears. And eventually, even gADAM would probably be retired (hopefully HC will eventually be cracked and then we'd all be moving to that, anyway).

Remember, worst case scenario. I'd like to think that, since we've already seen a UAT, that SOMETHING is coming. We just want an idea as to WHEN. And also fixing that OTA updater so the new Tiger Direct users don't have to live with a horribly buggy firmware any longer.
[G Tablet General] Vlad_z:
Were there any evidence that VS is reading this forum?

I'm very familiar with VS tech support. In 2003 there was Pocket PC from Viewsonic with "first in the world" build in .Net framework... Oh well, support for this device was dead in 6 month.

I didn't expect Viewsonic's gTab been any different. This company is just a merchants, trying to make a living on new trends.

PS: latest events with discount prices and then "problems" with tech support will definitely "win" consumer support for Viewsonic future products and offerings.
[G Tablet General] tom62015:
Dear Viewsonic & Tap and tap... you guys are now a joke. If you werent a joke when staples pulled your product cause of the charging issues, and your chargers blowing up. You are now. Now you pissed off the guy who made this device useable under your stock ui, which is probably as good as android ported over to i phone. You trashed your name by having a subpar screen on a device from a company who is known for computer monitors (even if malata built it theres a thread here with a build for a different screen! XDA = winning, duh). At this point there should be no reason for you to hide anything from us (such as an ota, driver blobs, etc.) after you "borrowed" most of the fixes from this forum anyways. You should hire someone who knows how to git so you dont have to use dsixdas kitchen to build your roms. All that being said anyone buying this thing for 300 dollars and complaining about it should list a tablet which is better than this at that price.... nook colors honeycomb is like... android ported to iphone. If you buy an android device and expect a good stock experience you are wrong (even on the samsung galaxy s). If any of you want to do anything, donate to a dev or hit their thanks button. The more thanks you have the closer you get to world domination. Viewsonic dontate to every dev with a rom or kernel here you bums and you should seriously rethink the tablet business. Garey Busey could beat you in this challenge... your fired.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
I know that some of the CS reps do, although like I mentioned they are not much better off (I think) than some of us in XDA - they are, unfortunately, the last people to be told anything. They didn't have to tell me that themselves - I already know as I worked in CS for many years, myself.

As for VS Marketing / Management, there is actually an account here that was used, at one time, by Adam Hanin (he's the guy who usually updates their Twitter account). I haven't seen any posts from him in awhile, but he was here back when things were pretty shaky post Staples pull-out, and just before the TapnTap interface got it's "Classic Mode" overhaul. So it stands to reason that he might still poke his head in here from time to time.

I have no idea if my opinions hold any weight with Mr. Hanin, or anyone else in VS for that matter. I'm just getting sick and tired of being held up in this holding pattern with no information from them. I'm thinking more as a customer than as a modder - I think I deserve to know what's going on, and I think we ALL deserve to know. Not just the new Woot! and TD users, but the old timers as well. Twitter Mr. Hanin, call CS or email Viewsonic - maybe if enough of us get on their case they might actually respond.
[G Tablet General] Forge94:
+1 for getting on their case. If enough people do it, then hopefully they will update their website to address everyone as whole, rather than individually.

I just emailed Viewsonic and contacted them on Twitter.

Everyone get on board.
[G Tablet General] Hayaser:
How do we get on board ?
[G Tablet General] Forge94:
It was a figure of speech :) But I meant to do as roebeet said:

The more people the better.
[G Tablet General] mikeami:
Can someone who has the contact information, (Twittwer, e-mail, etc.) please post it here in the thread. I'm sure you will get a lot more action if we didn't have to hunt for this information. ( I hate products with great potential, becoming orphanware before their time. 'Western Digitals' Media player division is the same way, NEVER buy any of their Media products, EVER!
[G Tablet General] snapz54:
twitter: @viewsonic

contact us page: http://www.viewsonic.com/contact/

Phone Number: (800) 688-6688
[G Tablet General] Icewyng:
Just as I was about to buy the G-Tab from Tiger Direct, I thought I would check the forums and saw this... stopped me from ordering!

Thank you Roebeet for bringing this forward. I wanted to buy the GTab to replace a tablet with no support and the last thing I want is to buy another one that would be dead.

I do hope VS answers and that we get good news.
[G Tablet General] cyberpyr8:
Looks like they at least responded to Roebeet on Twitter the other day.

I will tell you that posting in here won't probably get much attention from companies but flooding their Twitter feeds will make them respond. They don't want it to trend or show in their feeds all of the unhappy customers they have. That was how the Samsung community finally got Samsung to react and post some info on the FroYo update after months of silence. Now their Twitter users from the company are much more forthcoming with info knowing that there is a vocal group of users that can organize and make them look bad.

Maybe a concentrated effort with a hash tag we all use will make them realize that they can't ignore us.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
That's why I mentioned Twitter - it actually gets read. But "we'll look into it" really isn't an answer. That's like when I say "Yes dear", to my wife. :)

I'm still waiting for their follow-up response. My GTAB has been sitting at 2967 as I wait for their outage (and it is an outage) to be corrected.
[G Tablet General] chili_red:
Just tried calling the (800) 688-6688 number and the CS woman "Brenda" said they have a specialized group supporting the G Tab and that number is 866-501-6405.

Called that number and got a recording stating that they have a new customer support number and to call, 310-228-4000.

Called that number and received a recording stating that you have reached The Merchants and their hours are from 9am to 5:30pm M-F and to call back at that time.
[G Tablet General] pmcnano:
I was just gonna post that D:....Damn it!...whats happening here!!
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
Could be US Merchants. When I called CS last week, one of the reps answered with "US Merchants, xxxx speaking, how may I help you?". That might the company that pays their salary and NOT Viewsonic.
[G Tablet General] Talldog02:
Roe,

You have been extraordinarily patient with these folks. In my opinion, far more than the situation required. I don't know how you held off this long.

If there's anyone home at Viewsonic, they would do well to recall the warning: Beware the wrath of a patient man.

Well, the ball's in their court. What they do (or don't do) now will be revealing as to what kind of an organization they consider themselves to be.

Thanks for all of the great work you've done on our behalf.
[G Tablet General] TheKaz:
Hey, just wanted to chime in and say that I agree that I would like to see Viewsonic continue support for this product. I really appreciate all the hard work the devs put in to make this thing even more usable. I would like to see Viewsonic add their support to help the devs work out some of the ongoing annoyances I have with the gTab (although, I've gotten used to just living with them). I would even go so far as to say I agree Viewsonic should feel an obligation to continue support.

That being said, I also see a lot of people now totally bashing the gTab because of this. I just wanted to add that I still love my gTab for that I use it for, and as long as it continues to be good for what I use it for, I will be happy (especially considering the price point).
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
I tried to call their support #, 310-228-4000, and I get the message, it says 9am to 5:30pm, but it doesn't say what time zone. I see 310 comes up in California, so I am assuming it must be PST. Has anyone been able to reach this company yet? And how good are they on replacing the g tablet if its defective?

Thanks
[G Tablet General] walcs:
310 is actually borderline West Los Angeles and Santa Monica, I wish I knew where their office is...
[G Tablet General] clintre:
I agree kaz.

I bought me grab as essentially an empty shell knowing I was putting a custom rom. So I will not trash the device just because if this. I will voice my displeasure with Viewsonic as the community needs the support to continue the roms based on the base. Plus XDA is not here for them to put firth as support
[G Tablet General] glecko_kicks:
Not sure this means anything, but ...

I was just checking the Viewsonic site and found that their GTablet page is throwing a 404 error ...

w w w.viewsonic.com/products/mobile-wireless/home-automation/gtablet.html

then again another link is working

w w w.viewsonic.com/products/gtablet.htm

seems like they might be having issues just keeping their ducks walking in a straight line let alone managing multiple platforms, etc.
[G Tablet General] ramerco:
Not only that, but choosing gTablet from here: http://www.viewsonic.com/products/pcs/ brings you to the broken link...

Ominous signs. Maybe they will try to pretend the gTablet never happened :D
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
Its starting to look like the Woot sale of the G Tablets was a fire sale, and they are moving on to different things. I say this because my friend bought the G tablet too, and last week called for support, and talked to a Viewsonic rep. This week they have switched to this other Merchants company, and that doesn't bode well for us at all.
[G Tablet General] D Wright:
These were comments on Viewsonic's Facebook page in response to people's complaints on March 18

Viewsonic Tablet Fans: We are working on all sorts of new and exciting Tablets, accessories, updates and more. But we can't give specifics yet. So please understand if we don't respond directly to your questions. All will be addressed in time!

Viewsonic Talking about ALL our tablets including G
[G Tablet General] ramerco:
Only time will tell.
[G Tablet General] skoodog:
I'm doing this - can we sticky this to get VS to, you know, support the product they just sold off?
[G Tablet General] LurkAzusa:
US Merchants are the distributors and re-packager. It is printed on the back of my Woot G-Tab.

Their website is u-s-merchants.com
[G Tablet General] albright:
actually, no it doesn't
[G Tablet General] Fuzzy John:
What's that sour taste in my mouth??? :rolleyes:
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
Left a message with their new CS number to call me back

Not sure what the heck is going on, over there. I flat out asked the operator is the support group had changed, and she said "no". But something is definitely different and I keep wondering if there's a shakeup going on, right now.

Btw, I have all the old firmware ZIPs, in case they end up disappearing on us. :D
[G Tablet General] y2k-inc:
Gtab is still there: http://www.viewsonic.com/products/gtablet.htm
[G Tablet General] chili_red:
Just called the 310-228-4000 number, and a woman answered "Hello may I help you", no mention of company name. Asked her if this was the support line for the G Tab and she said to hold a moment.

After a couple of minutes an accented gentleman answered the phone. First I asked him if he knew when the OTA updater would be fixed. He just said to not worry about that, and if I already have 3588 then not to worry about it either as that's the latest. He also said that there is a link under the favorites button that will take me directly to the latest download on the Viewsonic website.

I then pressed some about what's going on and with the new releases, he said that there was one coming but he doesn't know when. He said the TnT didn't work that well and suggested getting a 2.3 rom from the XDA group :) , as the Google Market is mainly what you want and those roms run a lot more stable than the one loaded on the tablet.

He did say that Viewsonic is basically just a name stamped on the tablet and that they are not actually supported by them. I then asked if the G Tab was being dropped and he said with a definite NO that it isn't being dropped and will be fully supported, "don't know if I trust that one".

He wouldn't elaborate on it any more and kept stating that if I wanted it to run like it should and to have the full market then I should root and flash a different ROM on it.

Wonder, since this is not actually made by Viewsonic if someone else is picking it up, hard to tell at this point what's going on.
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
I called the 310 number and I got the same lady, but she took my name and number and said someone would call me back. That was like 2 1/2 hours ago.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
Same here. haven't been called back, yet.

I do not like the sound of all this. So far, it sounds like the old CS group has been completely removed from the picture. And using XDA as their support resource for firmware is completely unacceptable -- the old CS team did not do that.

I was concerned before, but now I don't know what to think. Something really bad must have happened last week and they're just not telling us. Maybe TapnTap's contract expired and Viewsonic / US Merchants did not extend it.

EDIT: Waiting patiently on hold, again. I hope this guy has some answers for me.
[G Tablet General] bobtran:
If you click on Downloads you will find that 1/2 of all the attachments are for the Viewpad and not the Gtab. Hung out to dry in only 4 months...I gotta wonder

if this is a new record for a lack of Corporate Responsibility by dropping the ball on its user base. Not sure I have ever heard of a company dropping its users this

fast before.

I have visions of that Capital One commercial where an older russian man says "Hello....my name peggy" when you call support.

Don't you just got a warm fuzzy feeling about now?
[G Tablet General] ant667:
Lmao it is scary to think of that commercial for it seems as it is going to be that way..

I made a few comments on their facebook page. Anyone who has persuasive ideas feel free to post on there facebook page and there twitter page for we need to get there attention.
[G Tablet General] snapz54:
the women answered, HELLO VIEWSONIC HOW MAY I HELP YOU, if anyone is reading this call the 310-228-4000 number now and ask in an angry concerned voice, " i need to speak to someone about the g tablet now please" I think we are spooking them. Keep it up until we make some waves to someone higher up.

from, HELLO to HELLO VIEWSONIC HOW MAY I HELP YOU... soon they will answer the phone, "Hello viewsonic, sorry if you purchased a G Tablet, how may I help you."
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
She got back on three times so far, asking if I wanted a call back. I said that I will stay online as long as it takes to get someone in CS to talk to.

I'm writing up my list of questions, now.
[G Tablet General] ant667:
Good you know what to ask...Maybe throw in a question in there about accessories too? ;p
[G Tablet General] snapz54:
This is what I posted on twitter, I found a quote on the gtab site that works for our effort. If you look under the awards tab, HA awards for the gtab, all you find is a letter viewsonic wrote defending itself after the staples pull. Quite a prestigious award. Anyway the quote was at the start of that letter.

retweet or post this on twitter:

@viewsonic “We always listen to customers....,” Jeff Volpe, VP and GM for ViewSonic Americas. Why aren't you guys listening? #viewsonicfail
[G Tablet General] ramerco:
Did you try it? Stillnot working to select G tablet form here (use the drop down under mobile): http://www.viewsonic.com/products/pcs/

Brings me here: http://www.viewsonic.com/products/mobile-wireless/home-automation/gtablet.htm

Where the gtablet has disappeared :(
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
Well I got a call back, the guy was not very pleasant (he was very short, asked if I had looked for fixes on XDA), just gave me an address if I needed to RMA my device to, no RMA #, he didn't give me his name, nothing. Said if I was tampering with ROM's I should follow the instructions and if I mess it up it is my fault and I basically void my warranty. This stinks to high heaven. Oh well, so much for Viewsonic and the G Tablet. Guess its time to Ebay this thing.
[G Tablet General] snapz54:
she's bouncing between me and you saying the same.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
I would say that accessories are not in our future. I'm just hoping for an OTA updater fix and a firmware update before I'm old and gray.
[G Tablet General] mstevens:
Well, that is certainly untrue.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
Just wait until he pulls that line on me. :D
[G Tablet General] chili_red:
It does sound like it was a sudden transition from the old 800 number to the new 310 number, like they weren't ready to answer calls for Viewsonic, it could be that TnT is completely out of the loop like Robert mentioned.

The tech I spoke with gave sort of a under breath chuckle when he said that the TnT interface didn't work very well, and that the XDA roms were much better.

Just hope they do find another Android developer to go with soon and don't drop us all together.
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
I think its too late, I think we have been dropped. This sucks though.
[G Tablet General] ensign.fodder:
Certainly seems that way. Well I got it for business and it is still doing what I need it to do but I see my son getting it a few months if ROM development stops.
[G Tablet General] cipher54:
message deleted by poster
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
Folks,

This is just a correction/observation:

Ever since I have had my gtablets, the main page for the G-Tablet has been:

http://www.viewsonic.com/gtablet

And you will find the Support and Favorites tabs there. Support tab is about

the same it always has been. The Favorites tab has been worked over the

the Amazon Market added into it.

I don't know when they put up the "products" pages on the G-Tablet, but

I've always followed the above.

Rev
[G Tablet General] absorbers:
roebeet

Did he pulls that line on you?
[G Tablet General] oneliner:
So they sent you to XDA for a "working" Rom and in the next breath that if you install said Rom you void your warranty. NICE
[G Tablet General] vincentfkc:
after 5 days playing

returning it!

wait for Asus

byebyte Viewsucks
[G Tablet General] ant667:
hmmm...Well I can always wish XD...Think about it this way, if they fix some of their firmware / put up accessories then they would have more profit from there current users and would probably bring in new ones because of good reviews. I love the tablet regardless if they stop because vegan rom works fine for me currently. I just hate to see it get ignored / dropped so quickly..some what ridiculous.
[G Tablet General] madcow706:
I know, right. He had a bad accent, and he was condescending the whole time. I didn't really have an issue, and this was more of test as to how the support would be, but man, what an fail this call was. I even gave him an issue that is easily fixable, but he didn't even offer me any solutions. Funny thing, this is what viewsonic has on their favorites page:

Developer Resources

XDA-Developers

Find out what Android developers and gTablet enthusiasts are doing with their gTablets at the XDA Forum.

I guess he should read their website more often. Oh well, I like the hardware, and the price was nice, but I really hate shoddy support. And this US Merchants company does not have adequate customer support infrastructure to support the G Tablet. That seals the deal for me. I have to sell mine, I can't keep it knowing that I may not even get mediocre support.
[G Tablet General] xmr405o:
This thread shows the power of Roebeet's influence. Viewsonic take heed.
[G Tablet General] roebeet:
The rep knew my username, and I wasn't very nice

It was not a good call - I asked him to have his supervisor call me ASAP and I left my name and number.

I'll be blunt - I am not happy, right now. They basically have no information for me, and this rep actually brought up XDA as a resource and I called him on it. I told him who I was and that I wasn't getting paid to do their support for them.

If I don't get a call back, I don't know what I'm going to do. Something really bad has happened over there and when I hear XDA mentioned as a resource because their own support is non-existent, I get annoyed.

I never introduced myself as a XDA modder - all I said was that, if I had a Tiger Direct device with 2963, what should I do? He said he'd try to get me an offline zip file within 24-48 hours (I still want to see that). But then he brought up XDA as a resource, I asked if I would void my warranty and he said "yes", so I said why would you recommend it? Then he backpedaled and I introduced myself as roebeet and asked him to cease and desist and get their problems fixed, instead. I was not nice at all.
[G Tablet General] jhreid1969:
Maybe you devs need to file lawsuit for directing everyone to you for support without your permission. Haha
[G Tablet General] ant667:
Agreed their whole support shouldn't be dumped upon you guys..You work hard enough to get these ROM's working...Something is up over there doesn't sound good...maybe there customer service system is messed up currently?...I am not sure...sounds like there dumping gtablet..Someone should ask questions about the viewpad 7 see if they know a lot about it if so then its obvious what there doing...