The same tipster that originally brought the discrepancy to our attention [...]]]> Last week we learned that existing T-Mobile customers were getting screwed on the Nexus One. Chances are Google and T-Mobile will work this out, but if you are impatient, here is one way current customers can get the $180 price.

The same tipster that originally brought the discrepancy to our attention embarked on an epic journey to figure out how he could get out of spending the $379 price outlined for data plan upgrades in the Nexus One FAQ. In the end, Quinn managed to get the phone for $180, but it wasn’t easy:

Starting the day of the release I attempted to secure a shiny new toy to replace my aging iPhone only to find out that Google/HTC/T-Mobile were hamstringing existing customers for anywhere from $100 – $200 on the cost of the phone, so I set out to get a fair price. I spoke with a long list of Customer Care/Billing/Tech Support/& Loyalty Specialists to work through the problem. A Tech Support agent along with help from Billing agents suggested that I add a line to my existing account, then swap the created phone number with the original after a cancellation and reuse request. This became difficult as someone on their end flagged my account wrong. I spent the better part of the next 36 hours asking if some flag had been activated on my account indicating I was no longer an Individual Regular Postpaid account. Only after threatening to cancel my account altogether did someone figure it out. Flag changed, I was now able to proceed. Added the line (865 area code), ordered the phone and waited for that to arrive. Once that was achieved, I called T-Mobile back to cancel my original line (not on contract – no fee) and file a reuse of the number. Then came the waiting game. This morning I awoke to a text message from T-Mobile stating that the number registered for the sim card was my original number (412 area code). To sum it up in steps:

Requirements: Non-contract T-Mobile Customer, ability to add a line

1. Add a line through Google check out process.
2. Wait for phone arrival.
3. Once acquired, call T-Mobile to cancel original number, then file a reuse request to swap it with the newly created number (similar to a number port)
4. Wait. (12 hrs elapsed time prior to the swap).

All said and done, Nexus One acquired for $179+taxes+$35 activation fee. One last caveat; by the end of the process, T-Mobile Specialists were getting weary of this method so I would verify they will do this for customers before proceeding.

Again, there are no guarantees, but in this situation Quinn managed to save $200 on the price of the phone. So, if your contract has expired, and you are willing to add a line then swap it later for your original number (if you have Google Voice there would be no need to swap numbers in the first place), it is worth inquiring about before you upgrade. [Thanks Quinn!]

Living with Joey Roth’s Ceramic Speakers
After whining about about Mocoloco getting a set of Joey Roth’s [...]]]> This week on TreeHugger, houses that spin, fake trees help out migrating birds, where we’ll see OLEDs and what will beat them, and an e-reader comparison with the iPad, Kindle, Nook and more.

Living with Joey Roth’s Ceramic Speakers
After whining about about Mocoloco getting a set of Joey Roth’s ceramic speakers to review before I did, I stomped my little feet and he sent me a set to review. And I have to say, from the moment you open the box, you know this is a very different product.

e-Reader Chart Compares iPad, Kindle, Nook and More, Makes Shopping A Little Easier
With all the e-readers hitting the market, it’s getting more difficult to know which is the best product to buy. Here’s a new comparison chart that will make sizing up your possibilities for the next big thing in going digital. And yes, it includes the iPad.

Fake Trees Art Installation is a Home for Migrating Birds in Chile
These ‘fake trees’ were designed by Chilean architects Claudio Magrini and Emilio Marin to improve the visuals on a road leading to Santiago, while inviting migrating birds to feel less interrupted by the route and more at home in their way. More photos inside.

More on Solar Panels Boosting Haiti Relief Efforts
Sol Inc. is making good on its commitment to help power Haiti relief efforts with solar energy. The company said in January that it planned to send about $400,000 worth of photovoltaics to the earthquake-ravaged country to help with round-the-clock relief efforts. Check out photos of the installation projects, and catch a glimpse of what the conditions are like in Haiti.

New Rubber Film Could Harvest Energy from Breathing, Walking to Power Gadgets
Princeton University engineers have come up with a rubber film that harvests kinetic energy. But it’s not just another piezoelectric film. And it could end up everywhere from inside your chest to the soles of your shoes.

Consumers In Emerging Markets Outpace Americans in Buying Electronics…Especially Greener Gadgets
According to a new report, developing economies are more likely than ever to outpace Americans in their gadget consumption. However, they’re also far more likely than Americans to purchase environmentally friendly devices, and use those devices to their fullest

OLEDs: Where We’ll See Them, and What Will Beat Them
So, where are we seeing OLEDs turn up, why aren’t they common yet, and what technology will beat out this purportedly ultra energy efficient technology that is moving forward at a snail’s pace?

Rotating Houses Put A Whole New Spin on Green Design
There are more houses that can turn on a dime than one might think! Check out these houses that will have your head spinning.

TreeHugger’s EcoModo column appears every Tuesday on Gizmodo.

WebMii scours the internet including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Bing, Yahoo! Search, and other search engines [...]]]> These days performing a vanity search of your own name isn’t just about vanity, it’s good to know how future employers and dates that Google-stalk you will see you. WebMii can help you get a picture of your online image.

WebMii scours the internet including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Bing, Yahoo! Search, and other search engines and social networks to build a picture of your online identity. You search using your last and first name and specify if you want your search limited to a region like the USA, France, or other countries listed, and then WebMii returns a huge laundry list of search results that provide everything from images to social network profiles.

WebMii doesn’t know which John Smith you are of course, but that’s a strength when you’re trying to get a picture of how you would be perceived through an online search. If you’re unhappy with the results you’ll want to take a peek at previous guides we’ve shared with you like how to manage your online identity and how to manage your Google reputation.

Have a great way to keep tabs on your online identity? Have a funny story about an online doppelganger? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

A lot of them are pretty easy, although I definitely [...]]]> Pop quiz time! Both the iPod and iPad elicited lots of grumbling from the nerd contingency (including our own resident grumbler Adam Frucci). Can you tell which critique refers to which product?

A lot of them are pretty easy, although I definitely tripped up over a few of the more vague anti-Apple attacks. How’d you all fare? [Fast Company]

Brain Freeze ice cube trays aren’t just cleverly named, they’re — yes, that’s all they are. $8 takes home the piece of molded rubber and another couple bucks brings home some food coloring. Mix all that shit together with some tap water, say a magic prayer, and you’ve got yourself a [...]]]>

Brain Freeze ice cube trays aren’t just cleverly named, they’re — yes, that’s all they are. $8 takes home the piece of molded rubber and another couple bucks brings home some food coloring. Mix all that shit together with some tap water, say a magic prayer, and you’ve got yourself a party! Did I mention booze? You’re gonna need booze. Plus some womens. Preferably skanky.

Product Site
via
brain freeze ice cubes let you zombies drink your braaaaains [technabob]

Card skimmers have been around for a while now, but they’re only getting more sophisticated and hard to [...]]]> The above card skimmer, found on a Citibank ATM in Woodland Hills, CA, secretly scans your account information and PIN number, which it then wirelessly sends to a scammer. Would you have spotted it?

Card skimmers have been around for a while now, but they’re only getting more sophisticated and hard to detect. This one features a tiny pinhole camera that records victims’ PIN as they punch it into the keypad, and it was clearly molded to fit and work with this exact ATM.

What can you do to protect yourself? Just be aware. Look at all the ATMs in the bank you’re in to make sure they all look the same. Look for hidden cameras or extra seams that seem out of place. Look for odd protrusions or elements that have colors that don’t match the rest of the machine. If you’re paying attention, you should be OK. But if you aren’t, you’re at risk for giving up your checking account to a scammer. [Krebs on Security via Cynical C]

First Place—Ron Cassel
Second Place—Jay Goebel
Third Place—Ken Grey
For this week’s Photoshop Contest, I asked you to make some improvements to Apple’s iPad. Some of these entries are definite improvements. Others? Uh, not so much.

First Place—Ron Cassel
Second Place—Jay Goebel
Third Place—Ken Grey

Hemophilia…