FileSaveAs UK Technology Blog

High-speed Broadband by 2012

2008-07-22T23:22:00.000+01:00

In July 2008, BT announced details of their plans for surer-fast broadband. They're proposing to spend £1.5 billion on connecting 40% of British homes to a new fibre-optic network by 2012.

Speeds are expected to be between 40 and 100 megabits a second.

3G iPhone launches - if you can find one...

2008-07-11T08:02:00.003+01:00

Apple's 3g iPhone launched at 8:02. As has been well publicised, demand is huge. o2's website buckled under the demand this Monday, and people were queuing this morning from the early hours.

Shortages are due to continue for weeks, with thousands likely to be disappointed.

It's only a phone, guys...

If you can't find one in store, try ordering online at o2 or Carphone Warehouse.

3g iPhone: o2's website buckles

2008-07-07T19:13:00.003+01:00

Ahead of Friday's official iPhone 3G launch, pre-registration opened today at 8am, with a bunch of texts being sent to thousands who'd registered an interest.

Sadly, the o2 online store struggled, and alternated between a slow crawl, odd HTML errors, and "come back soon" messages.

By 3pm, we hit an Out of Stock scenario.

Rumour has it that the 'existing iPhone user' aas treated as a lower priority over new customers. So that's us out :(

Tiny GPS tracker now available

2008-06-22T23:00:00.001+01:00

Check out this tiny GPS receiver. This can be used to capture your current position, or track your progress on a journey, then let you use that data on your PC or online.

You can overlay your position and waypoints onto Google Maps and Google Earth, and also use it to geo-tag photos and on photo services such as Flikr and Picaso.

Waterproof and rechargeable, this device is a snip at £40, easy-to-use and pretty powerful. If you're a biker or a hiker, or own a digital camera, find out more about the i-gotU GPS tracker at www.frequencycast.co.uk/igotu.html

3G iPhone from 11th July

2008-06-13T06:45:00.001+01:00

After months of speculation, Apple's announced the 3G version of the iPhone. This will be available in the UK from the 11th July 2008. As well as supporting high-speed HSDPA Internet access, the new iPhone has built-in GPS and a bunch of software extras. It's available in 8Gig and 16Gig versions.

Existing iPhone users can upgrade to the new version for £99, or free if you go for the £45 a month contract. There'll also be a new £30 a month contract.

More on the iPhone on our dedicated iPhone page

USB Modem page added

2008-05-11T21:52:00.001+01:00

Added to site: information on using USB modems for hooking up fast mobile Internet. www.filesaveas.com/usbmodem.html

BT Add ToGo to their Broadband package

2008-05-09T07:25:00.000+01:00

BT's Total Broadband package has had another addition.

As well as the Home Hub, BT Vision, BT Fusion, BT Digital Vault and all the other extras thrown in, they've now added a free Blackberry-like Smartphone into the mix. The new top-of-the-range Broadband and TV package, BT Total Broadband Anywhere includes this new Windows Mobile handset, which uses either Wi-fi or the BT Mobile network to let you send and receive emails, or surf the net.

More details on our new BT ToGo page at www.filesaveas.com/bttogo.html.

UK Tech Podcast Show 26 online

2008-05-01T08:25:00.004+01:00

Show 26 of FrequencyCast, our online radio show, has just been released.

In this show, we cover the BBC iPlayer, Virgin Media, new Freeview channels and news of FreeSat. We also take a look at the Eee PC, try a new Wii game, and talk surge protectors, iPhones and much, much more.

Download Show 26 direct to your MP3 player, or listen online at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html

Got iTunes? Play, download or subscribe: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=142899029

Share and Enjoy!

15% off TomTom SatNavs

2008-04-30T22:00:00.004+01:00

We've found some magic discount codes to get up to 15% of TomTom Sat Navs at Currys, but they're only valid till the 9th of May 2008:

AWTT769075 - TomTom One GB V3, was £129.99, with discount code £114.89
AWTT042062 - TomTom One GB Traffic, was £159.99, with discount code £143.99
AWTT051059 - TomTom One XL GB, was £169.99, with discount code £143.20
AWTT435555 - TomTom GO520 , was £199.99, with discount code £169.99
AWTT859555 - TomTom One XL GB Traffic, was £199.99, with discount code £184.99
AWTT302563 - TomTom GO720, was £229.99, with discount code £197.00
AWTT373241- TomTom GO720 Traffic, was £259.99, with discount code £214.98
AWTT369061 - TomTom GO920 Traffic, was £349.99, with discount code £292.03

To use the codes, go to the following link: Currys TomTom Codes

Apple iPhone price drop

2008-04-16T00:18:00.001+01:00

The 8Gig version of Apple's iPhone drops from £269 to £169 today (16th April). The tariff now includes 600 minutes and 500 texts a month, plus an unlimited data tariff for surfing. Details at http://shop.o2.co.uk/iPhone or on the
Carphone Warehouse site

If you're interested in the iPhone, see our review at filesaveas.com/iphone.html, or download our podcast team's 30 minute audio review

ASUS Eee PC Reviewed

2008-04-12T20:15:00.000+01:00

Looking for a tiny, yet powerful laptop? Well, if you can life without Microsoft Windows, you can get one for under £200. Powered by an Intel processor, less that 900 grams in weight, with 512Meg of RAM, wi-fi, 3 USB ports, an Ethernet port and a PC monitor socket, this is a pretty well specced mini-PC. At the heart of the low price, is the fact that it runs the Linux OS, not Windows.

For more on the Asus Eee PC, see our ASUS Eee PC page.

Our podcast team has just completed an audio review, which you can find here: Eee PC Audio Review.

Update: We've found a 10% off voucher code, that can be used on the Asus Eee until 28th April 2008. Get code.

BT drop net prices and offer free support

2008-04-01T07:05:00.000+01:00

Two important announcements from BT Broadband today:

Firstly, they're dropping their prices - Option 1 drops from £17.99 to £15.99 (discounted to £7.95 for the first 3 months). Option 2 also drops by £2 a month.

Secondly, from today, BT Total Broadband tech support is free - they're replacing their 0845 helpdesk number with an 0800 number for Internet support.

They're still offering the free BT Vision digital TV recorder, and you can get a BT Home Hub if you order online.

More on today's changes at www.bt.com/btbroadband

ISPs have desires on your data

2008-03-29T11:00:00.000Z

US firm Phorm are working with UK broadband providers BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk to collect information on the website you visit, so that they can target ads at you.

Phorm and BT have been quick to claim that no personal information about your browsing habits is collected, and that they are following all appropriate legislation over data privacy. Many data protection campaigners aren't convinced though, including web creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

An Online petition to Downing Street collected over 9,000 signatures in its first month from users concerned about their privacy. If you don't fancy UK providers using Phorm to target ads at you, you'll find the petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ispphorm

Keep your mobile phone contacts safe

2008-03-28T22:00:00.002Z

We've recently been taking a look at Mobyko - this is a handy service for backup up your phone's address book. It supports 200 different models of phones and backs up your handset's contacts to secure webspace. It works over-the-air so there's no mucking about with cables and PC software.

The service works well, and best off, it's free. Sign up at www.mobyko.com.

Hub free on all BT packages in February

2008-02-05T08:12:00.000Z

Until the end of Feb 08, BT's offering their wireless router, the BT Home Hub, free on BT Total Broadband Option 1. It's been available on Option 2 and 3, but not on their basic package (broadband only £8.95 for the first 6 months).

As well as being an Internet router, note that the BT Home Hub is required if you want BT Vision - and BT are still offering their digital set-top box / recorder... for free to BT Broadband customers. More on the Hub at www.frequencycast.co.uk/homehub.html or at www.bt.com/btbroadband

Show 23 of our Podcast now online

2008-02-01T09:04:00.000Z

The latest FrequencyCast online radio show, Show 23, has just been released. The show covers:

News Updates: An update on the HD DVD format wars, BT Vision news, two departing DAB stations, the iPhone software update, plus moe TV news.

Focus - Classic Technology: Again, we listened to the online votes for show topics, and this time around, as requested, Carl and Pete go back in time to see what TV, Computers, Phones and the 'Net looked like twenty years ago.

HD in the UK: A quick summary of what's on offer HD-wise, from the big guys - Sky and Virgin.

Your Questions: Listeners questions on Wireless headphones, the Skypephone, FreeSat, mobile podcasting and the digital switch.

You can download Show 23 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast23.html

Mobile Internet advice page added

2008-01-24T00:43:00.001Z

We've added a new page of information outlining the options for getting Internet access on the move, or where there's no fixed-line Broadband access. Take a look at our new guide at www.filesaveas.com/mobileinternet.html

Apple iPhone Software Patch to 1.1.3

2008-01-20T13:43:00.000Z

Apple has issued a software update for the iPhone. The new version, v1.1.3, can be installed via iTunes.

New features include:

New Maps application - Find location by mobile phone cell site

Send SMS text messages to multiple recipients

Customize Home Screen - Rearrange icons and add browser bookmarks to Home Screen

IMAP support for Gmail

Support for iTunes Store movie rentals

Enhanced Video Player (Chapters, Subtitles, Alternate language tracks)

Lyrics support in iPod

o2 now offering 4 free SIM cards

2008-01-09T23:36:00.000Z

Mobile phone firm o2 has increased their "two free SIM card" offer to up to four free SIM cards. Each SIM comes with up to 500 free UK texts every month, worth up to £50 a month. To receive their free 500 texts customers simply have to top-up their O2 mobiles by a minimum of £15 a month. Get your SIM cards at freesimo2.o2.co.uk. Limited period, while stocks last.

Nintendo Wii, in stock for Xmas

2007-12-12T22:20:00.000Z

Nintendo Wii in stock for Christmas, but at a price... We've found some stock... see www.filesaveas.com/nintendowii.html#buy

Nintendo Wii, free this Christmas

2007-11-28T22:21:00.000Z

Bursting for a Wii for Christmas? There's stock at Carphone Warehouse - Free Nintendo Wii with selected phones on contract, as of 28th November 2007.

You have to take out a phone on 18 month contract before 6th December for Xmas delivery.

BT Videophone bargain!

2007-11-26T23:39:00.000Z

BT's two Broadband Video Phones have had massive price reductions. The BT Broadband Videophone 2000 with wi-fi is now less than £50 (previously £200). More on our Videocalling page, where you'll find a review of these phones. We also covered these phones in Show 8 of our podcast

iPhone audio review now online

2007-11-14T21:11:00.000Z

The Apple iPhone launched in the UK on the 9th of November 2007. With a huge amount of media coverage (and hype), there's a lot of interest in this phone.

We've already put our review of the iPhone online, and now our podcast team has completed their audio review of the UK iPhone. So, is the iPhone a hit, or a miss?

Download our MP3 audio review, the "Unofficial Guide to the iPhone", and listen to an app-by-app review, and see how the iPhone shapes up against the Nokia N95 and the XDA Orbit.

You can download our iPhone special from http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/iphone.html

Please spread the word...

UK iPhone Reviewed

2007-11-11T18:10:00.001Z

Our review of the UK iPhone is now online. There's been lots of hype about this phone - the amazing UI and sheer style of the phone, versus the fact that's it's over-priced, locked and under-featured.

Check out what the FileSaveAs team has to say about this phone, plus a look at the out-of-box activation process, at http://www.filesaveas.com/iphone.html

UK iPhone launch 1 hour away

2007-11-09T17:02:00.000Z

The most hyped launch is drawing to an end... the Apple iPhone goes live at 6:02pm - available online from o2 and The Carphone Warehouse.

More on our iPhone page