Frequent Questions
Pre-installation
- What is MyWeb-OnTheGo?
- What does it cost to use MyWeb-OnTheGo?
- Will MyWeb-OnTheGo work with my phone?
- Do you support BlackBerry?
- What if my phone is not listed in the downloads section?
- How do I open the link in the text message you sent?
- How do I install MyWeb-OnTheGo?
- What languages are supported?
- Which Amazon sites are supported?
Using MyWeb-OnTheGo
- How do I purchase the items in my cart?
- How do I view my cart via my PC?
- What is the easiest way to find a specific product?
- How can I configure MyWeb-OnTheGo to access a different country site?
- What do the "On Exit" settings do?
Troubleshooting MyWeb-OnTheGo
- Trouble downloading MyWeb-OnTheGo via the WAP site
- Trouble connecting to the MyWeb-OnTheGo service after installation
- I get a security exception when I try to install MyWeb-OnTheGo?
Pre-installation
What is MyWeb-OnTheGo?
It's a way to access the primary Amazon.com functions via your cell phone. Sure, you can use a WAP browser to access Amazon directly, but MyWeb-OnTheGo is an installable application that takes advantage of the processing power in your cell phone, and also minimizes the amount of network traffic you use, so you save money on your carrier's data charges. MyWeb-OnTheGo is also built specifically for your cell phone model and screen size, so it looks much cleaner, and it's easier to find what you need. You can see a list of some of the major features on the home page of this site.
What does it cost to use MyWeb-OnTheGo?
The only usage charge will be the rate your carrier charges you for data access. These charges will vary by carrier. Some carriers charge a "per KB" transfer rate, while others charge a flat fee for up to so many KB or MB of data transfer. MyWeb-OnTheGo attempts to minimize these charges in several ways. To perform a search and receive search results, for example, you'll likely use 1 KB or less of data transfer. To view a product description, you'll use less than 1 KB; to view details, including a product image, you'll likely use 3-8 KB; to view reviews, 1-3 KB.
Will MyWeb-OnTheGo work with my phone?
MyWeb-OnTheGo is designed to work on any MIDP 2.0 phone with a minimum screen size of 128 x 128 pixels, or a MIDP 1.0 phone supporting the Nokia UI API with a minimum screen size of 128 x 128 pixels. But limitations on installed application size, the amount of memory available to Java applications, and other factors can affect your phone's ability to use the software. Some carriers also impose restrictions on application installation. We don't yet know the complete list of phones that definitely do or do not support MyWeb-OnTheGo, but what we do know is available via the Downloads section. Choose your phone's manufacturer and model, and the known or suspected compatibility will be listed, along with any known limitations.
Do you support BlackBerry?
Yes. We have specific builds prepared for the 8700, 7290, 7520, and 7100t, along with a generic build that should work across all BlackBerry models. None require access to restricted API's on a BlackBerry, so they shouldn't require signatures. If you see any security exceptions when installing or running MyWeb-OnTheGo on your BlackBerry, please let us know, and we'll get the application signed with keys from RIM.
What if my phone is not listed in the downloads section?
The best option is to download a build for a phone that is very similar to your own. For example, if you have a Nokia Series 60 phone, any Series 60 build should work on it, provided the screen size is the same.
If you can't find a build for a phone that is very similar to yours, and you think your phone meets the minimum requirements (MIDP 2.0, 128 KB installation, 128x128 resolution), you can try downloading one of the Generic builds. Choose the Generic category online, or scroll down to the bottom of the page in your WAP browser to view Generic builds. Choose the exact screen size of your device. If you don't know your screen size, or your screen size isn't listed, choose the unsized generic build.
How do I open the link in the text message you sent?
If you are a wireless subscriber in North America, you can choose to have us text message you a direct download link to the most appropriate build for your phone.
On some phone models (e.g. Sony-Ericsson phones), you can select the URL in the message to automatically open your WAP browser to that page. In other phones, you will need to open the Options menu, and find a command to open the web address.
For example, on Nokia Series 60 phones, while viewing the text message, go to the Options menu, and select Find | Web address. This transforms the URL into a link that can now be clicked. Select it, and then click "Go to web address."
How do I install MyWeb-OnTheGo?
Install via mobile download
- Point your phone's WAP browser (not a third-party browser like Opera Mini) to http://m.mywebonthego.com.
- If your device was detected properly (it will be displayed if it was), click on Download MyWeb-OnTheGo.
- Answer "Yes" to all installation messages.
Install via PC download
- Select your phone's manufacturer and model via the Downloads section.
- Download the JAR and JAD files listed.
- Transfer the files to your mobile phone, and install them according to your phone's installation procedure
SMS Download
If you a cellular subscriber in North America (U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Guam), enter your 10-digit mobile phone number after selecting your phone make and model from the Downloads section, and we'll text message you a link to the correct build for your phone. Click the link in your message, and your WAP browser will immediately redirect you.
What languages are supported?
Alas, only English is presently supported. The software can easily be ported to other languages with the translation of a single file. If you would like to volunteer to translate the file to another language, please contact me.
Which Amazon sites are supported?
All of them:
- Amazon.com (United States)
- Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)
- Amazon.de (Germany)
- Amazon.ca (Canada)
- Amazon.jp (Japan)
- Amazon.fr (France)
Using MyWeb-OnTheGo
How do I purchase the items in my cart? How do I view my cart via my PC?
- On your mobile phone, select the shopping cart from the main menu.
- From the options menu, select "Send cart." You must have your e-mail address defined in the "Settings" section—if you don't, you'll be promoted to add it.
- Your cart will be sent to Amazon, and a link will be sent to your e-mailbox.
- Click that link to open your shopping cart at Amazon, and then follow the normal Amazon checkout procedure.
What is the easiest way to find a specific product?
If you are in a store, holding the product in your hand, you can use the ISBN number (for books) or the UPC code (for other products) to look up the item.
- Change your phone's input mode to numbers only (usually the pound or asterisk key) to make entry easier.
- Enter the code. For ISBN's, enter all the digits to the right of "ISBN." For UPC odes enter all digits in the code, including the small digits just to the left and right of the bar code.
- Select the search index (required for UPC codes only).
- Select the lookup type (either ISBN or UPC).
- Click "Find."
Many people prefer to perform a search instead.
- Enter the search terms in Find box.
- Select the search index (defaults to Books).
- Select the lookup type (defaults to Keyword search).
- Click "Find."
How can I configure MyWeb-OnTheGo to access a different country site?
- On your mobile phone, select Settings from the main menu.
- Open the locale drop-down box, and select your preferred country site.
- Click "Save."
Note that your selected country will determine the reviews shown (reviews are specific to the country site where they were submitted) and the currency used to display prices.
What do the "On Exit" settings do?
Whenever you close MyWeb-OnTheGo on your phone, something needs to be done with any items in your shopping history. You can:
- Save your cart only: the next time you start the software, your shopping cart is still loaded, and your product viewing history is available.
- Empty cart: Your cart and viewing history on your phone are deleted.
Troubleshooting MyWeb-OnTheGo
Trouble downloading MyWeb-OnTheGo via the WAP site
If the WAP download page doesn't open, check to see if you can access any other WAP sites, e.g. try accessing http://www.google.com.
If you can't access any WAP sites on your phone, then there might be faults on your network or your WAP browser settings might be incorrectly configured. Check your WAP browser connection settings and try again later. If the problem persists, contact your carrier for assistance.
If you can access other WAP sites, but still cannot open our WAP download page, contact us for further assistance.
Trouble connecting to the MyWeb-OnTheGo service after installation
An active internet connection must be available in order to use the MyWeb-OnTheGo software. This connection differs from a WAP connection you probably have setup already on your phone. Most manufacturers and providers will set up your internet connection for you, automatically and free of charge. This is usually implemented via a text message from the carrier or manufacturer.
Before contacting your manufacturer or carrier, you can check to see if you have a suitable Access Point Name (APN) configured on your phone. In most phones, the APN settings can be found in the Tools or Settings sections. For example, on Java-enabled phones, you can find the APN settings under Settings | Connectivity | Settings for Java. On Nokia Series 60 phones, they are found in Tools | Settings | Connection | Access Point.
Some sample APN's used in the USA are " internet2.voicestream.com" for T-Mobile, "proxy" for AT&T, and " isp.cingular" for Cingular. If your setting doesn't look kosher, you have two options:
- Visit your phone manufacturer's web site. You can generally find setup help in the support section of these web sites. Larger manufacturers like Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, and Nokia make this information readily accessible. OR
- Contact your carrier / provider, and request that the "internet settings" be sent to your phone.
I get a security exception when I try to install MyWeb-OnTheGo?
Sony-Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia builds of MyWeb-OnTheGo are signed by Thawte, so 1) that you can verify the integrity of the software, 2) to assure you that the software does come from this web site, 3) and to allow the software to operate without continual security prompts that you're required to approve.
If you get a security exception when attempting to install the application, your phone does not have the Thawte root certificate installed. Many manufactures and phones do have it installed, but some don't.
If this happens to you, you can just install an unsigned version of the software. This is a common practice, as the vast majority of mobile phone applications are not signed. Please let us know who your carrier is (e.g. Cingular), your phone manufacturer (e.g. Sony-Ericsson), and your phone model (e.g. K750). We'll update our support list to reflect this, and we'll send you an unsigned build. If you'd like us to text message you a link to the build, be sure to include your 10-digit phone number (North America subscribers only).
Walk-throughs
Technical Support
Only extremely limited technical support is provided via this web site. Should you have a question not answered here, open a help desk ticket, assign it to the appropriate queue (Download & Installation Support, Web Site Support, Mobile Software Support), and someone will get back to you within 1 to 2 days.
