Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Can MailBug send and receive email to/from anyone, or only with other MailBugs?
MailBug can send email to, and receive email from, any valid email account anywhere in the world.
Does MailBug have to connect to a computer?
There is no need to connect MailBug to a computer or a network. All it needs is a standard telephone line and an AC electrical outlet.
Can I use MailBug at my office?
Sure. It’s a great solution for small businesses that want email at site locations but don’t have IT staff and don’t want to support computers and software. MailBug requires a standard analog phone line, the same as the one found in most homes. This is also true for most computer dial-up modems or fax machines. Some office telephone systems use PBX or digital systems which require special telephone sets. If your office uses this type of phone system, one possible solution is to have MailBug share the telephone line with your fax machine (which is often an analog line). Since MailBug is only online for a few minutes each day, it should not impact fax users.
Is MailBug portable?
The MailBug is portable because it is small and light, and because it can be used from most telephone lines anywhere in the United States. It is not, however, considered a mobile device since it requires AC power and a connection to a regular telephone line. Many hotel rooms offer a standard phone jack that will work just fine with MailBug, making it a great travel companion.
Will MailBug fit where I want it to go?
MailBug has full size keys, but it doesn’t waste space with keys you never need, like the “F5” key on a computer. That means MailBug is really easy to type on, while staying small enough to fit anywhere you want to put it. MailBugs are found on kitchen counters, on desks and end tables, wherever you want to have quick and easy access for sending messages often. The actual dimensions of MailBug are 10.6 inches wide and 7 inches deep and 2.75 inches high. It weighs just under two pounds.
Sending and Receiving Email
Can MailBug send email to more than one person at a time?
Of course it can, we know you want to keep in touch with many family members at the same time. The MailBug Email Address Book can also be used to store frequently used group addresses.
Can MailBug receive large email messages or only tiny little ones?
MailBug is great for sending small messages on a whim. But you aren’t limited just to short messages. MailBug can receive a very long email of up to 16,000 characters, equivalent to about four typewritten 8 1/2″ x 11″ pages of text. Any characters in excess of this amount will be truncated so that the message can be sent. If you use the webmail option, the original message will be available on the web-mailbox in its complete, unabridged form.
Can I print my email?
You can print your email. Since MailBug is not a computer, however, you cannot connect it to a standard computer printer. Instead, MailBug prints to standard fax machines. Click here to see why that makes sense and for more detail on printing to a fax machine. You can also simply forward the message to an office or other location where a printer is available. Or, if you choose to use the webmail option, you can print your email from any Internet connected computer with access to a printer (at work or at the library).
Can I email photos to a MailBug?
Yes, you can email a photo to a MailBug, but the MailBug itself will not be able to display it. However if your MailBug is set to “Shared” in the setup menu, then the email and the photo attachment will be available on the free webmail website that is available to all MailBug users.
Additionally, if you use a digital picture frame that is linked to your MailBug account, then photos attached to emails can be automatically forwarded to the digital picture frame for convenient viewing. Learn more.
Can MailBug be used to send & receive SMS text messages?
Yes, you can use your MailBug to send and receive SMS text messages with mobile phones. Learn more.
Can you change your email address once you’ve already registered?
Yes, you may change your email address, however you need to contact our Customer Support department to make this change.
How frequently does MailBug check email?
MailBug checks for new email is variable, depending upon how often you send and receive email. If you are a frequent email user, MailBug will check more often than if you are an infrequent email user. It will normally check at least once per day, and sometime every few hours, depending upon usage patterns. You can always initiate a manual check for messages at any time. From the main screen, simply press and hold down the CTRL key on the keyboard, and then press the CONNECT key beneath the display. This will cause your MailBug to immediately check for new email, and send any queued outgoing email. See your owner’s guide for more information.
How long does it take to send/receive an average email?
From the time you press SEND (or CONNECT) most email messages will be sent (or received) in under a minute. MailBug waits that long to see if you are going to type another email. MailBug will also wait until the phone line is free and not in use by a phone on the same line.
What is the maximum number of email messages a customer can send or receive each month?
The MailBug service from Landel does not limit the number of email messages you may send or receive. You may send or receive as many as you like.
Can MailBug save emails on disk?
MailBug does not have a disk drive. The messages are stored in non-volatile electronic memory.
Does MailBug have an email address book?
Yes, MailBug allows you to store up to 100 email addresses.
How many ‘users’ will MailBug support?
MailBug is designed to be a personal messaging device, and supports a single mailbox. Any number of people can share a MailBug, but they will share the same email address.
Internet Access
Can I access the Web using MailBug?
The MailBug does not have a browser feature, and thus cannot be used to access the internet or the World Wide Web (WWW).
Is MailBug vulnerable to email viruses and Internet worms?
The MailBug email terminal is not a computer, and so it cannot get a virus. It cannot send one either.
What about ‘Spam’?
Landel does not sell its customer list and does everything it can to prevent abusers from sending unsolicited commercial email (called “Spam”). Filters are in place for all customers, and Landel Customer Support can even adjust the strength of spam filters up or down to suit individual customer needs.
If you want your email to be strictly private, Landel Support can also set up a “white list” of approved email senders and have your MailBug discard all other unapproved mail.
If I want to, even though I don’t have to, can I use my MailBug in combination with a computer?
You’re tired of seeing the emails about the time change for the soccer game after the games are already over, aren’t you? You don’t log in with your computer to get email messages like these because you don’t expect them. You don’t know they are there. Do you wish you could get them automatically without having to boot up and log in with your computer? MailBug can help. It works very nicely with your computer and your existing Internet connection to bring a new level of convenience to email. If you choose to use it that way, you can think of your MailBug as your email assistant. It will automatically download all your email so that you can deal with the simple ones without messing around with the computer. It will show you the ones you need to see before they get too old to be useful. Then, whenever it’s convenient for you to log on with your computer, you can download all your email into your hard drive archives, print them, or work with computer-based attachments. You still keep all the function that you are used to having from your computer and your existing Internet connection, but you will never have to log on again just to see if you have email. MailBug makes email so easy you’ll find yourself exchanging email effortlessly every single day, rather than just once in a while when you find time to launch your computer. Look in your User’s Guide or Contact us for assistance. Use the following for the settings in your computer:
- mail host: pop.mailbug.com (incoming) and mail.mailbug.com (outgoing – use password authentication for outgoing)
- user name (generally, this is your full mailbug.com email address (some software may require only the user name)
- password (your regular mailbug.com password as used in your MailBug setup)[/expand]
Service
How much does MailBug email service cost?
The cost of email service is listed on the Pricing page. It can be charged to your credit card on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. That’s much less than what other internet service companies charge. There is no service contract, no commitment, no risk – just an easy and affordable way to discover how easy email should really be.
How will I be billed for service?
MailBug customers have the option of paying for service monthly, quarterly, or annually, when paying by credit card. There is no service contract required. You select which service plan you prefer at the time you register your MailBug to setup service. The billing and address information you provide is used for billing you in future months.
Do I need a separate phone line for the MailBug?
You don’t need a separate phone line. MailBug is designed to use your ordinary phone line – the kind found in almost all homes. It intelligently shares a phone line with other devices or your regular telephone. It senses when the line is in use and places a call to send or retrieve email only when no one is using the phone. Reading and composing of messages is done while off-line, never tying up the phone line.
Is the MailBug compatible with my answering machine, fax, or other telephone equipment?
In most cases, MailBug can share a telephone line with any other type of telephone equipment you might have. MailBug never actually answers the phone, it only places outgoing calls, and then only when the line is not in use. Thus there is never a conflict with other devices connected to the same line. To share a telephone jack with an answering machine, simply connect the answering machine to the second jack on the back of the MailBug.
Will MailBug interfere with telephone calls?
No, MailBug is smart enough to never interfere with a ringing phone line, or when the phone line is already in use. It senses when the line is not in use before attempting to send or check for email messages.
Is the MailBug available for use outside of the United States?
While MailBug service is available throughout the USA and Canada, service in other countries is not available at this time. However, some customers have elected to use their MailBugs from outside the USA and Canada, allowing MailBug to place an international call to reach our email servers here in the USA. While this may be an acceptable arrangement for some users (since the calls to send and receive email are generally very short in duration, especially compared to voice calls), the toll charges associated with these calls may be prohibitive for most users. Furthermore, such international users must insure that 120 volt power is available for use with the AC adapter that comes with MailBug. Any other voltage may cause permanent damage to the unit.
When away from home for several days, does MailBug have to be disconnected?
No. MailBug is designed to be continuously powered up and always ready for use. If you must disconnect it, however, no information will be lost.
Can I use my own ISP with MailBug?
MailBug is designed to connect to Landel’s email service. Our customer service staff can easily set your MailBug service up to forward copies of your inbound mailbug.com email to another email account at another provider if you wish. You can also use this same option to have copies of your inbound mailbug.com email sent to your office address. Once you get your MailBug, simply use your mailbug.com email account as your primary email address, and your incoming mail will be available to you from your MailBug and through your other ISP. In some cases, you can use MailBug to retrieve email directly from other POP3 mail hosts, although many of the larger providers (like AOL) do not adhere to POP3 standards.
Will MailBug work with all local phone services?
MailBug works with almost all phone services. MailBug is designed to connect using a standard or “plain old” telephone line. This means that it almost always works, and would generally work anywhere that a standard telephone or standard fax would also work. If you get your residential local phone service from a phone company, MailBug will work just fine. If you get your phone service from a cable television company, however, then it should also work fine but there are exceptions. Contact us for details if you get your local phone service from a cable television company.
Does MailBug support Caller ID?
Yes. If you subscribe to Caller ID service from your phone company, then MailBug will automatically sense this service and capture and display incoming call information, including number and name if it is sent. If the number matches an entry in MailBug’s phonebook, that matching name will be automatically displayed next to the caller’s number. If you do not subscribe to Caller ID, then the CALLS button will not appear.
PLACING AN ORDER
How do I order a MailBug?
Ordering a MailBug is easy! Call one of our friendly customer support representatives toll-free at (855) 624-5284.
What types of payment do you accept?
We currently accept Visa or MasterCard. In addition to Visa and MasterCard , you may also pay with a personal check by calling our customer support representatives at (855) 624-5284. Please note that a $1.00 USD check processing fee will be applied to orders paid by personal check.
I’d like to buy a MailBug for someone else. Can you ship a MailBug to a different address?
Yes. Simply let us know that you’d like to ship your MailBug to a loved one or friend at a different address when placing your order.
ORDER STATUS
How can I check the status of my order?
For orders shipped via UPS, please enter your tracking number here. For orders shipped via USPS, tracking is not available. You may also call customer support at (855) 624-5284 to receive an update if you cannot locate your tracking number.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
How long does it take to receive a MailBug?
We currently ship via UPS ground for most addresses in the United States. For PO Box addresses or shipping to Canada, we use USPS. Shipping can take between 2-10 business days to receive based on location from our warehouse.
Do you offer expedited shipping?
Yes, we are happy to ship products via overnight or second day delivery. Contact us for details.
What shipping provider do you use to ship a MailBug?
We use UPS as our shipping provider for most addresses in the United States. For PO Box addresses or shipping to Canada, we ship via USPS.
RETURNS AND EXCHANGES
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of purchase date. To return a MailBug, please call our customer support representatives at (855) 624-5284 for a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Is there a warranty for MailBug?
Yes. We do offer a limited warranty for MailBug. This warranty applies only to product purchased and used in the United States.
What is covered:
Any defects in material or workmanship are covered under warranty.
For how long:
The warranty lasts for six months from the original date of purchase. If you are interested in an extended warranty, perhaps because your purchase is a gift for someone, contact customer support.
What we will do:
At our option we will repair or replace the product at no charge to you, if the problem is reported within the warranty period.
If we choose to replace this product, we may replace it with a new or reconditioned product of the same or similar design. Replacement will be warrantied for 90 days, or the time remaining on the original warranty, whichever is longer.
Limitations:
We will not pay for loss of time, inconvenience, loss of use of this product, or property damage caused by this product or its failure to work, or any other incidental or consequential damages.
Landel cannot guarantee that the emails, phonebook, and callers list contents will be preserved. This data may be lost during the process of repairing your unit, and if we have to replace the unit with another one, then all saved data will be lost. For this reason, we suggest that you copy down all email addresses, phone numbers, and other important data saved in your MailBug before you return it to Landel for repair. Really important email messages may be forwarded to another email address, either your or a friend’s, for storage, or for purposes of printing them out on paper. Landel is not responsible for messages, addresses, or phone numbers stored on MailBug units sent in for repair.
What we ask you to do:
Call Landel Customer Support to report the problem, and obtain a return materials authorization (RMA) number. You are responsible for paying all shipping and handling costs to return the product.
We recommend you retain your original packing material in the event you need to ship the product.
Please include your name, address, telephone number, proof of date of purchase, and a description of the operating problem.
What this warranty does not cover:
This warranty does not cover damages resulting from events outside of the manufacturer’s control including accidents, wear due to normal usage, misuse (including broken LCD), alterations, unauthorized repair, failure to follow instructions, fire, flood, Acts of God, and use outside of the United States. Nor do we warrant this product to be compatible with any particular telephone equipment or party line, key telephone systems, or more sophisticated customer premises switching systems.
State laws:
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusions or limitations of consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions might not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights, which can vary from state to state. This warranty is valid only in the USA.
If you have any questions about service or products, call customer support at:
Phone: (855) 624-5284
Email: support@mailbug.com