I’m just getting to the end of watching the interview and seeing @zach’s face totally change from CEO-mode to nerd-mode when talking about the Charm and Strange bots is hilarious.
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My question was what advice would Zach give the 2012 version of himself?
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@avidan I say have it narrated by Morgan Freeman
I completely missed it 
…and I do have a question regarding the Electron. As it is completely a cellular module (no WiFi or any other wireless connectivity), having cell service is very important! I understand that the U.S., service is through T-Mobile. However, where I live, of “the big four” (Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T), I can only get service through Verizon and Sprint…I’m in a T-Mobile dead zone, with zero service.
My question: is it possible that you might be able to offer “roaming” for such dead zones? The uBlox module is GSM-based, meaning that it won’t work on Sprint (CDMA), but it should work on Verizon?? Something to think about, anyway. While Verizon has much better coverage, T-Mobile probably gives you a much better rate 
. (I’m on Sprint for the wonderful price point, not the OK service!)
You may want to check out this web page. I think you will find it useful. https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-14947 
@rpiswag. Nice try.
T-Mobile has NO coverage in my area! I'm pretty near to the center of the screenshot.
But as I mentioned, I have Sprint, and my neighbors have Verizon.
Wow! Why is the T-Mobile coverage so bad in your area?
Highest point in Ohio. Seems Verizon already got the top of the hill.
I think the Electron will work with other GSM based carriers but I am not sure.
AFAIK, that’s the case. However, if I understand correctly, Particle has become an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) through T-Mobile, meaning that the Particle-branded SIM cards will only use T-Mobile’s network. (It appears that the “partner coverage” [gray] on T-Mobile’s map is AT&T, as that is also completely unusable in my area!) Whoops–looked at the docs: the Particle SIM will also work on AT&T. Which doesn’t help me at all.
With that in mind, I could go to a Verizon store, and ask for a data-only SIM card, only to happily pay $30+/month for 100KB of usage. I’m pretty sure that the Electron can use Verizon’s network. But I like the $3/month Particle rate.
What about the at&t microcell? It works even if you have no cellular reception. I know this next idea is a long shot but I was wondering if you could buy a really high gain antenna and use that to get some cellular reception.
It could be worse. If you lived in Green Bank, WV you wouldn’t even be allowed to use a Photon or an Electron.
No Core permitted either! That's in the United States National Radio Quiet Zone...cellphones verboten as well! It goes without saying that you aren't likely to be one of the 143 people in Green Bank, WV, either.
Sorry to keep taking potshots at all of your suggestions, @rpiswag...you're definitely considering all the options! However, both the AT&T microcell and Sprint's Airave require a broadband Internet connection to function. In which case you would be better off to plug in a WiFi router, and use a $20 Photon. No monthly fees, either.
I'm referring to areas where Verizon has a monopoly, and you can't get service through AT&T or T-Mobile. Yes, a high-gain antenna (or parabolic dish) could be used in remote deployments. That is a viable idea...but (sorry) it's not the point of my initial question.
Where exactly do you plan to use your Electron? Do you plan to use it in your verizon monopoly of an area?
If you are only going to use your electron with in line of sight of your house I would buy a Photon and get a 1 watt (legal limit) eirp radio and directional antenna and point it at the Photon.
My dilemma? While I will be deploying the Electrons where needed, guess what: I have to write and test the source code sometime! And if it doesn't work from my house...that makes things a lot more complicated. Not to mention the size of the "dead zone" in this area, all locations that could not be serviced without WiFi.
Sorry @WebDust21 - Electron is GSM-only, so it won’t work with Verizon or Sprint (both are CDMA). However, you might find that there is 2G coverage for one of the major GSM carriers, and if that’s the case, both the 2G and 3G Electrons will use 2G when it’s available.
OK. My misunderstanding. Basically, I’m in a GSM dead zone.
Thanks for your time…and products!
@WebDust21 You are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I really have no idea how to help you with your problem. You can use the web ide to write source code to your Photons or Electrons. You don’t have to have them plugged into your computer to write source code to them unless you plan to use Particle dev.
Blast! Well, in the short term there isn’t much we can do, but we are keeping our eyes on LTE; currently the chips are way too expensive but late 2016/early 2017 that should change, and once LTE is better suited for IoT/M2M stuff, that should help with coverage.
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