We’ve already covered saynoto0870.com before, which allows you to search for real landlines behind the 0870 numbers (actually, it also covers 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845, and 0871 too), but there is another new option for calling certain numbers…

Today, if you want to call an 0800, 0808 or 0500 number from your mobile, you will be charged for the call (except for a handful of charity numbers), and sometimes you can’t find a landline equivalent from saynoto0870.  Well, this is where 0800buster.co.uk can help out.

This works by you dialling a standard 01233 landline number (which will then come out of your inclusive minutes *) and then once connected to their system you then dial the 0800/0500/0808 number and it will connect you.  Their website even has brief details of how to save the combined information in to a contact record to make it even easier for numbers you dial on a regular basis.

* – in fact, 0800buster state that for some mobile networks, even when out of your bundle dialling their number can be cheaper than calling the number directly.

One interesting benefit of this service is Directory Enquiries; if you dial their number and then dial 0800 100 100 or 0800 118 3733 you can access Directory Enquiries for a lot less than you would directly on your mobile, and for that reason alone we support this service; obviously, we would prefer if the mobile networks didn’t charge a premium for these calls at all, but whilst they do, at least there is another option…

Truphone have updated their iPhone client to v3.0.  They are claiming that they have improved call quality to the extent that the quality is “superior to Skype for iPhone and other iPhone VoIP apps!”  To access the new version, simply head off to the Apple iTunes Store, or you can get instructions on how to download this client direct from Truphone’s website here.

Truphone offer you free calls to Skype and other Truphone users, free instant messaging to various platforms, and also offer low call rates to international numbers allowing you to keep your call costs to a minimum.  They have a range of schemes (depending on the level of calls you make), from Truphone Unlimited (subject to 3000 minute per month limit), Truphone Anywhere (to allow you to still make calls when out of reach of a Wi-Fi network), and Truphone Local Anywhere which offers a SIM which can have multiple incoming numbers assigned to it, and benefits from much reduced roaming rates (when it launches later this year).

When 3UK quietly announced they were removing their “3 Like Home” offer, not many picked up on the story.  Now, however, looking back, we wonder whether 3UK have made a mistake or not…

Since then, Vodafone have made their Vodafone Passport roaming scheme free for voice and text calls until you use up your inclusive minutes / text bundle (in effect, removing the 75p call setup fee), and now, T-Mobile have stated they have reduced their roaming SMS prices from 25p to 11p.

However, looking at the small print, we suspect all the networks are desparately trying tricks to make it look like they are helping the consumer, whilst actually they are looking towards price increases… Vodafone’s promotion is only for 3 months, and from then on, unless the customers leave Vodafone Passport, they will be back to paying that 75p call setup fee (which, if you only make a few short calls whilst abroad, might cost you more than cancelling Passport and paying per minute), and whilst T-Mobile look like good guys reducing their SMS prices, the cost of making a call in Europe has gone up from 38p per minute to 44p per minute! (receiving a call has stayed at 19p per minute, and receiving a text is still free).

As for 3UK; a lot of people are using this possible contract change as a reason for leaving their tie-in contract early (and with a bit of pressure 3UK are accepting that), but does it actually make that much difference? 3 Like Home only applied in a few countries, and only if you remained on the 3 network; accidentally roam onto a different network and you were liable for charges again; it’s likely 3’s replacement roaming will be a competitive flat rate pence per minute deal to help minimise the impact.  Of course, if they come up with a decent data rate too they may well still clean up (neither Vodafone nor T-Mobile offer any incentives on data roaming).

It seems to us all the networks are trying to maximise their roaming revenue, whilst appearing to be consumer friendly; in the long run, we don’t think this move will harm 3UK greatly, but it may well result in customers who roam a lot moving to new networks, especially if Vodafone were to make their Passport promotion permanent…

INQ, the makers of the INQ1 phone sold by 3UK have reminded us that it’s possible to access your Google Mail (GMail) account directly on the INQ1 phone.  Actually, it’s possible to access a whole raft of mail accounts on the phone, but INQ have pointed us to 2 different ways of accessing GMail (which, to be fair, apply to quite a large range of the 3 UK mobile phones).

Email on 3; the first method is to use the Email on 3 solution.  If you have this installed on your phone, simply launch it, and select to add a new email account, and there will be an option for Google Mail

GMail itself; the other option is to download the Google Mail client, which is accessible on the INQ1 via Switcher > Google > Google Mail

Of course, it’s best to have internet access enabled on your phone, which is possible whether you have a PAYG or contract version at £5 per month / 30 days), as this will help to get the most out of this phone.  Finally, don’t forget that the INQ1 is a Skype enabled handset, and hence, even without a data tariff, you can use it to access Skype for the Skype Free Calls Forever promotion.

Skype have recently released the latest beta version of their Skype client, v4.1.  One of the main new features in this version over the current version is support for screen sharing, as can be seen in the above screenshot.  This feature already exists in the beta v2.8 Mac version, and the plan is for the feature to be compatible across Mac, Windows and Linux.

Skype have also added / returned the following features:

• Birthday reminders
• Ability to send contact details to other Skype users
• Ability to import contacts from GMail, Windows Live (Hotmail), Yahoo!, AOL and LinkedIN
• Updated IE and Firefox plugins which now recognize your Skype contacts mentioned on web pages and highlight phone numbers which you can call for free

Skype have also updated their audio and video engines and they have also fixed a number of occasional crashes.

This new beta can be downloaded from here, or you can wait a short while, and, once formally released, it should be offered from within the client itself.

Up until last week, Nokia were able to offer a handful of potentially useful applications direct to their smartphones via the Download! facility.  Well, this is being slowly replaced by the Ovi Store, and this has now gone live.  This isn’t just some small little launch; selecting a well established S60 3rd Edition FP1 phone can give you over 1000 items to choose from; some are free, some are chargeable (the odd “free” application may use chargeable SMSes to register, which to our mind means it should not be classed as free).

There are videos, applications, ringtones, travel guides (and that’s just within the first few listed items in the most popular free section!), although it’s not perfect; a search for twitter did not list fring, despite it being in Ovi Store and having a twitter addon, and equally, there are a few UI issues which we are sure Nokia / Ovi will iron out.

This has great potential, and should get better over the next few weeks.  If you are interested, head over to the Ovi Store for more information.

Here at UK Gadgeteer we’re a big fan of OpenStreetMap, and we recently came across a new iPhone / iPod Touch application which allows you the ability to not just access the OSM, but to have access to the maps when offline, eg when roaming, and trying to avoid large data bills.

In a short time, a number of new features have been added, such as landscape map support, bookmark management, wikipedia search, distance ticker, and a full screen mode.  There is a small charge associated with the application, but then the maps themselves are free, and should remain free.

For those who want to have a backup map option for those times when you are in a strange town / city, this may well be that app…

More information available from their website here.

We’ve covered a number of car manufacturers working with Garmin and TomTom to provide custom mounts, and now Volkswagen have announced plans to provide a VW-specific Garmin Nuvi 7×5 mount.  The Volkswagen “Click&Ride” solution is custom made and “tailored for all models” and will provide power to the Nuvi.  It will also integrate into the car’s audio system so that all information is broadcast through the stereo.

The “Click&Ride” solution includes the Nuvi itself, and features all the normal functions you would expect of a Garmin Nuvi model; lane assist, traffic information warning of roadworks and accidents, and will sit in the bottom left hand corner (LHD) or bottom right hand corner (RHD).

This looks a nice solution for those looking for a more integrated feel, but still want the power and flexibility of a portable SatNav unit.

Orange are the Official Communications Partners of Glastonbury, and as such, try to come up with a new feature each year, and this year it’s the Power Pump (above).  The Power Pump, produced in conjunction with GoWind, allows you to harness the power of your airbed’s footpump to recharge your phone!

Orange say “the Orange Power Pump measures 154mm by 129mm with a height of 47mm making it no bigger than a packet of Wet Wipes, is lightweight and easy to fit into your rucksack. Encased in sleek black housing, the turbine can generate enough energy to power 5 minutes of call time in the time it takes to inflate a pillow.”

If you’re heading to Glastonbury 2009 (Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, from 24th – 28th June) then you may want to pop into the Orange tent as the Orange Chill ‘n’ Charge tent will be at Glastonbury again this year providing 600 mobile phone charging points, free internet access and live music. The Orange Chill ‘n’ Charge tent will be open from Friday to Sunday, 10am-10pm.

For all the latest updates from the field go to www.orange.co.uk/glastonbury, which will be relaunching at the end of May. For more information about Glastonbury Festival go to www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

For those that have historically taken solar chargers to Glastonbury, and bemoaned the lack of sunlight, maybe this is the solution…

We first covered Bill Monitor here, and since then they have made a number of updates to their free service, which looks at your mobile phone bill (you can either enter the overall details manually, or for some networks, it can access your last few recent online bills automatically).  These updates include keeping their tariff data up to date, improving their roaming options, and a website redesign.

However, the big news is that they are the first (and currently only) website approved by OfCom as a Price Comparison Calculator for mobile phone bills.  We really like BillMonitor, and recommend everyone should use it once in a while to check two things:

• Firstly, whether you could save money by changing to a new network; this is especially key when coming towards the end of your contract tie-in period.
• Secondly, often the mobile networks will introduce better rates, but rarely move customers onto these newer rates automatically; by using BillMonitor, you may be able to save money (or, if still in contract; get more for the same amount of money).

Well done to the guys at BillMonitor for their accreditation by OfCom (you can read OfCom’s statement regarding BillMonitor here).