How To Activate Total Wine & More PayPal Rebate

I figured out why Total Wine & More PayPal rebates were never able to be activated on the app for me. 

Their PayPal activation REQUIRES matching: FIRST NAME, LAST NAME, and EMAIL.

I checked my PayPal and the first name on the account was STEPHEN. I changed it to STEVE to match the name I was using on the Total Wine app. After waiting overnight, it worked.

PayPal validation should only rely on EMAIL and not include FIRST and LAST name too. No one does that. Am I right?

If Total Wine continues to require ALL THREE to match, they should note that on the app page so people will know to check that all three match, and alert store managers and customer support so they can help customers.

I never would have thought that First and Last name were being validated.

Charging on the Go: Mastering Payment Methods at Electrify America Stations with Your Credit Card or App

I’m going on a long trip with my 2023 Volvo XC40 and wanted to test the high-speed charging capabilities of the Electrify America station.

I downloaded the app and set up an account. I also added Electrify America to my Apple Wallet. 

At the station, I plugged the high-speed adapter into the car outlet, then tapped my phone where the credit card reader it. No matter what I did, It would not recognize the phone, telling me that there was an error, and to try again. 

I tried a few times and then gave up. 

CREDIT CARD

I ended up swiping with a credit card, which activated the station and started charging. 

After I finished this first test, I ended the session and removed the charger. 

SECOND TRY

Then I plugged in the charger again to try to get the app to work.

Only then did I realize that I had to tap UNDER the credit card payment box against the charger where it says, "Members: tap here to pay with plan". That user interface needs a lot of improvement.

After I tapped there, the charging started once again. 

Without a plan, you have to pre-load at least $10 into your account. I did that. 

When I looked at my recent credit card transactions I saw a $50 charge from Electrify America. I had to search online to see why that happened and it is a temporary charge that verifies your credit card account that is supposed to go away once the charge from your charging session completes. I'll be watching that to make sure the $50 charge goes away. 

UPDATE: It looks like I was at an older charger with an old design. Here’s a photo of a newer charger. Makes more sense.

How To Stream NBC on an Internet Only TV in your Cable TV Home

Let's say you have your main TV hooked up to Xfinity in your Great Room, but then you have a second TV in your bedroom that doesn't have a cable TV box, and you want to watch NBC TV shows like The Today Show on it. 

Here are three solutions to allow you to watch NBC broadcast TV on a TV where you've 'cut the cord'.

• 1. Use an Antenna

If you within a good range of a broadcast antenna, you can hook up a fairly inexpensive antenna to your TV and watch live broadcast TV, just like they did back in the old days.

2. Link Your TV Provider to the NBC and NBCU Family of Apps

With this solution, you need to have an account with a cable provider like Xfinity.

"If you have an account with a participating cable/satellite/digital TV provider, you can link it to the NBC and NBCU family of apps to unlock all episodes in the library and access a live stream of your local station."

Once you connect your app to your cable TV provider, you can watch NBC shows with an NBC app. 

3. Use the Xfinity Stream App.

Just like the Xfinity Stream App on iOS, you can use the Xfinity Stream App on your supported smart TV, like the TCL Roku TV. 

This gives you access to the full range of channels that you are subscribed to on your main account, along with the cloud DVR service, if that's part of your package. 

Xfinity Stream App on Xfinity TV Partner Devices FAQs:

"We work with equipment manufacturers to bring the Xfinity Stream app to compatible Amazon Fire TV devices, LG Smart TVs, Roku devices and other Partner Devices. The Xfinity Stream app offers live broadcast channels, linear cable channels, cloud recordings and video on demand, all without having to rent an Xfinity TV Box from us.

The Xfinity Stream app for Partner Devices is currently offered in a "beta" version that doesn't include the full set of features and functionality that comes with the Xfinity Stream app or the web portal. Future releases of the app will include additional features and functionality, as well as improved stability and optimization. When using the "beta" app, you won't be charged an "additional outlet" service charge. Pricing may change in the future.

Please note that Xfinity X1 is the best way to watch Xfinity TV, and not all features of X1 are available if you choose to use a Partner Device. See below for more information."

The Comcast Xfinity TV App doesn't work with a Comcast DVR with the TiVo Upgrade

Photo Courtesy Comcast: The Comcast Xfinity TV App

The Comcast Xfinity TV App doesn't work with a Comcast DVR with the TiVo Upgrade.


Comcast DVR with the TiVo Upgrade

You'd think that early adopters of an advanced user interface would get Xfinity iPad/iPhone App support.

You can schedule recordings online for the Comcast DVR with the TiVo Upgrade. What's the difference between using the Comcast Xfinity TV App?

Customer support told me that I'd have to downgrade my Comcast DVR, removing the TiVo Upgrade to allow the Comcast Xfinity TV App to work.

Seems like a programming issue to me.

Can I get some clarification? A timetable?

TWITTER UPDATE:

When will it work with TiVo? Thanks. RT @ComcastBill: @stevegarfield Correct it does not work with Tivoless than a minute ago via Tweetie for MacSteve Garfield
stevegarfield

@stevegarfield I can honestly say I'm not sure.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckComcastBill
ComcastBill

Comcast Chat:

Ashley > Is there anything else that I can help you with?
Steve_ > when will Xfinity TV App work with a Comcast DVR with the TiVo Upgrade
Ashley > Let me check on this.
Ashley > You may check this link www.xfinitytv.com for updates.
Ashley > I apologize but there's no update yet here.
Steve_ > Please find out and email me the status. Is thre a timeframe? Are people wrking on this?
Steve_ > Please do some research and get back to me rather than asking me to check the website.
Ashley > Please wait, I am checking this further.
Ashley > You may check is it is available now on your area by checking fancast.com/mydvr
Steve_ > No. It is available in my area. It just doesn't work with the Comcast DVR that's been upgraded with TiVo interface.
Ashley > Oh, I am sorry to know that.
Ashley > You may swap your cable box Steve.
Steve_ > Can you pass this along to someone who can answer me and email me back?
Steve_ > No. The BOX is not the problem.
Steve_ > Please, the box is fine. It's the TiVo upgrade that is the problem.
Ashley > Sure! You can send an email here http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/contactus/ContactUs.html
Steve_ > I want a timeframe whe Xfininity app will be supported on Comcast TiVo DVR.
Ashley > This is within 2 to 3 months.
Ashley > Is there anything else that I can help you with?
Ashley > It has been my pleasure to have assisted you today . I'm happy you contacted Comcast.