We’ve featured a number of products from Maplin, but just wanted to draw attention to the fact that Maplin are having a free delivery event at the moment on their website, which finishes tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9am. So, if there’s a little something you had always wanted to purchase from Maplin, but that additional delivery charge was putting you off, go order it quickly, and save that money today!
We’ve heard that over on the Digital Spy Forums that Sky have confirmed that for their top tariff Broadband has had the “Fair Use Policy” (or, in other words, a limit) removed such that it is now truely unlimited. We wonder whether other Broadband providers will be following suit…
We’ve featured Goosync a number of times before, and we have been users of the service for some time now. Two pieces of news have happened in the last few weeks regarding Goosync.
Firstly, GooSync now supports up to 4 different devices (on the Premium service only). This allows you to sync your Google data onto multiple devices without hitting lots of sync problems.
Secondly, Symbian Guru have produced a detailed review of the service. Head here to read more. Their main issue with it is the lack of automatic sync capability, but equally we like the fact it uses the built in Sync functionality of the devices, not needed additional software (and the native Sync application does not support regular scheduled syncs). Also, they mention the ability for GooSync to support multiple calendars, and this can be enhanced further by the use of a third party Calendar application, Papyrus, which supports the GooSync way of creating separate categories for your separate Google calendars. Papyrus is in the process of being renamed as Calendar by the authors.
Maemo has announced a new version of the Maemo OS (used to power Nokia Internet Tablets). The new features include HSPA support (ie HSDPA and HSUPA support), support for HD camera images with online sharing capabilities, and support for the TI OMAP3 processor (which offers the potential for faster devices with better graphics).
The 5th generation of the Maemo OS is likely to be called Maemo 5.
However, there is not yet a corresponding announcement from Nokia on the hardware side of things (having split off Maemo into a separate entity, this isn’t surprising). However, we’ve certainly heard rumours of a Nokia announcement in this area soon, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a device which supported some, or all, of these new features announced within a few months, if not sooner. Of course, it can often take a few more months between announcement and availability, so we may not see new devices until after the New Year, but we definitely expect them at some point.
We’ll bring you the news as and when we hear about it.
We first mentioned a 5D successor here where we referred to it as the 7D. Well, Canon have now released the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The specification of this is truely fantastic:
About the only downside is the price, likely to start around £2300 when it goes on sale in the UK in November, although like all tech gadgets, this will slowly drop as stocks become more plentiful.
As well as the Nokia N95 and Nokia N95 8GB firmware updates we mentioned a couple of weeks back, the Nokia N82 has now had a v30 firmware update too. If you have an N82, then the Nokia Software Updater may have an update for you (it’s likely network operator branded versions may be delayed, or even never appear, in common with many other updates).
Last week we were privileged to see a sneak preview into LG’s plans for Plasma TVs for the next year or so. In the short term, they have launched a number of new Plasma TVs, which we have featured below. However, LG were kind enough to discuss some of their products and plans for 2009, and we were very impressed with what they’ve got coming. We’re not allowed to talk about the unique features these TVs might feature, but suffice to say, if LG release everything they mentioned, LG should be in for a very good 2009, and be on target to increase their market share.
However, let’s get back to the new TVs which should formally launch this week, and be available in the shops in the next few weeks (and certainly in time for Xmas)…
Firstly, and this is a UK first, LG have released a 32″ HD Ready Plasma TV. For those with smaller living rooms (or for those looking for a good size Plasma for the bedroom), this TV should suffice. The LG 32PG6000 is a very nice looking TV, and part of the 6000-series of Plasmas. It features built in Freeview, a frameless design (the screen and the frame are seamless), 100Hz, 4 HDMI inputs (very useful!), and USB 2. All these TVs feature invisible speakers; they all have speakers, but they certainly don’t stand out in the way that speakers used to be obvious.
Further up the range, we have the LG 50PG6900, which is a 50″ HD Ready Plasma TV. This TV does not just feature built in Freeview, it has a 160GB Freeview PVR built right into the back of the TV. Again, it’s a 100Hz TV, with 3 HDMI inputs.
Finally, we saw the LG 50PG7000, which is a 50″ Full HD Plasma TV. Unfortunately, it wasn’t being fed a Full HD source, but even without that, we could see this was a very nice TV. It’s a 100Hz 1080p Plasma, with the 4 HDMI inputs and USB 2. However, this TV also features Bluetooth 2.0, which can be used for 2 functions. Firstly, it can be used by Mobile Phones to send or stream content direct to the TV. Secondly, it could also be used with Stereo Bluetooth Headsets to allow either more privacy, or to allow viewers to watch the TV at different volumes.
No pricing was available last week, but we should see street pricing within the next few weeks. Thanks to the guys at LG Blog for inviting us along.
For the next few days, we will introduce a new deal that 3UK are now offering, some of these are so new, that (at the time of writing) 3UK haven’t updated their website to reflect these details.
Today’s deals aren’t actually new deals, but they are an improvement…
3UK have improved their USB Mobile Broadband offerings, by offering newer and better devices.
Firstly, they are replacing the E169G Stick with the new E169 Stick (yes, a subtle model number difference), with the new version additional featuring a memory card slot as well, allowing the device to work as a card reader.
Secondly, the E160G will now be available in new colours; pink, blue and green.
Although we’ve mentioned them before, a number of the devices are also as Broadband Starter Kits, which is basically a way of buying them as PAYG devices, but with a nice credit already included in the deal.
If interested, head off to the 3Store and read about the 3 USB Modems or 3 Mobile Broadband Starter Kits.
At the time of writing the website did not reflect all new 3UK offers mentioned this week, and some will come with Terms & Conditions and Fair Usage Policies which we were unable to confirm the details of.
We covered the Zeemote here, and now it appears that Nokia will be preloading the Zeemote software (Zeekey) onto a number of S60 devices, most likely those key N-Gage devices. It is likely that Nokia will additionally bundle the Zeemote with phones. This could make mobile gaming even more enjoyable for many.
More information available courtesy of Symbian Freak.
Due to go into beta in the next week or so, Nokia LifeviNe takes Nokia Sportstracker, and enhances it. A lot of people had started using the Sportstracker application (and website) for recording roadtrips, walking routes, and simply using it as a method of providing a live link to their current position, all things it was capable of, but not part of the main aim of the website which was linked to recording and sharing sports based activities.
As such, Nokia have announced LifeviNe, which will offer those facilities. It will also offer the ability to not just show the route you took, but also the images and videos you created whilst walking, and even the music you were listening to.
There is also going to be a Facebook application for linking to your data from that site.
More information once it goes into public beta at Nokia Beta Labs.
For the next few days, we will introduce a new deal that 3UK are now offering, some of these are so new, that (at the time of writing) 3UK haven’t updated their website to reflect these details.
Yesterday, we mentioned the new 3 MM1100 Plan, which has been updated to include unlimited landline calls. Well, if calls aren’t your thing, but you are a profilic texter, then maybe this plan will suit you more.
3UK have taken one of their popular tariffs, and reduced the price by £10, so now for just £25 per month (on an 18 month contract), you can get 750 cross network minutes, and unlimited texts. Not just that, but unlike many price plans on 3, ALL phones, except the Nokia N95 8GB and Nokia E71, are FREE on this tariff.
If interested, head off to the 3Store and read about the 3 Unlimited Text Plan.
Update: It appears that the N95 8GB and E71 are completely exempt from this deal, ie they are not available at all, as opposed to the phones simply not being free. Shame, they are both well suited to this deal.
At the time of writing the website did not reflect all new 3UK offers mentioned this week, and some will come with Terms & Conditions and Fair Usage Policies which we were unable to confirm the details of.
It looks like the Sony Ericsson Experia X1, which is a Windows Mobile device, will ship this month. Vodafone UK will be the first to market with it on 30th September. No pricing is available right now, but expect it to be keenly priced. This phone is likely to revive the fortunes of Windows Mobile outside of HTC
A long while ago (back in January), we covered Garmin Bobcat, which was a Beta of Garmin’s Mac support program for their GPS and SatNav units. Well, Garmin have now formally released the software, although it’s now called Garmin RoadTrip. On top of that, at the Garmin Mac page, you can download other utilities for your Mac, including Map Installers, POI Loader, and WebUpdater.
For the next few days, we will introduce a new deal that 3UK are now offering, some of these are so new, that (at the time of writing) 3UK haven’t updated their website to reflect these details.
Today we have to mention the most controversial of them, unlimited landline calls. Now, 3UK haven’t created a new offering for this, they’ve simply improved on an existing tariff, the Mix & Match 1100.
Whereas before with the plan they offered 1100 minutes or texts which if used as minutes could be to landlines or to mobiles, they have now basically made these 1100 minutes as cross network mobile minutes or texts only.
Then on top of that, they are offering unlimited landline calls.
Now, the tariff also comes with 300 3UK-3UK minutes, and free voicemail, all for £27 per month on an 18 month contract, which makes for a fantastic all in deal.
If interested, head off to the 3Store and read about the 3 MM1100 Plan.
At the time of writing the website did not reflect all new 3UK offers mentioned this week, and some will come with Terms & Conditions and Fair Usage Policies which we were unable to confirm the details of.
This is FitBit, a new device due to start shipping around December / January in the US. The device can be worn in a variety of locations, and it uses an accelerometer to record your exercise throughout the day (and night if you want to). It will cost around $99, and even features an OLED display. It will connect wirelessly to a basestation, and automatically sync all your walking / exercise data with your PC or Mac when in range.
An interesting device, although you could achieve a similar solution today by installing Nokia’s Step Counter beta software onto an NSeries device with a built in accelerometer.
Although not yet planned to ship to the UK, we suspect they’ll be available in the New Year via some means. More information at Fitbit.
Nokia have announced that their Mail for Exchange application will now be available for an additional 43 phones, mostly NSeries S60 devices (it’s basically now supported on all Nokia S60 3rd Edition devices). Traditionally, the Mail for Exchange application was only available on the ESeries of devices, but now it’s much more available. At a time when Nokia have recently announced they are dropping support for the BlackBerry client on Nokia phones, this is an interesting solution.
The only difference is that on an ESeries device, there is a summary of the Mail for Exchange client on the Active Standby screen, and this function is not available on the other devices, but in all other respects, it’s the same solution.
Apple have refreshed the iPod nano range, with a whole range of colours, 8Gb or 16Gb versions, a curved aluminium and glass design, a built in accelerometer (to allow you to flip through the album covers really easily, or to shake the device for shuffle mode), a 2″ diagonal 320 x 240 display, and will cost £109 or £149 depending how much storage you want.
Apple have also updated the iPod Classic, but probably of more interest is the new iPod Touch, which now features a similar curved back like the iPhone 3G, and now features a single mono speaker builtin, and volume buttons on the side. It also features an integrated Nike+ receiver.
Across the range, Apple have introduced a feature called Genius to iTunes, which is similar to last.fm (which is available across a much wider range of devices), where it recommends and creates song playlists based on your library (whereas last.fm concentrates much more on what you listen to, as opposed to what’s in your music collection).
Finally, Apple have promised another new firmware (v2.1) for the iPhone 3G, which should hopefully resolve some of the issues that were not resolved with the last update. The same firmware is also available for iPod Touch users, although will be chargeable for some people.
Here’s the new RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, their first flip phone. In keeping with other recent BlackBerry products, it features Wi-Fi, although not a GPS. The inner screen is a standard 240 x 320 display, whilst the outer screen can preview incoming calls, texts and emails.
3 are heavily promoting the new SkypePhone S2. As such, today, Thursday and Friday this week (10th, 11th, and 12th September) 3UK will be in Soho, Leicester and Golden squares respectively (ie Soho Square today, Leicester Square tomorrow, Golden Square Friday) to allow people to get hands on with the phone. They will be around 10am to 4pm each day.
There will be bean bags to relax in, drinks, and inflatable musical chairs. If you are in the area, head along and see the phone for yourself.
In other 3 news, 3 UK are slowly running out of stock of some of their USB Modems and SkypePhones (actually the Black twin pack). It appears that as most people are now buying the Stick version of their USB Modem and the new SkypePhone S2 these shouldn’t be big losses. Even better, 3 UK have stated they will be offering a twin pack offer on the new SkypePhone S2 at some point soon.
Thanks to Sam at 3mobilebuzz for the advance notice of these London events.
We’ve covered MAXroam, the single SIM that offers a good deal for those that travel frequently around the world, before but MAXroam have just announced their new product, MAXroam v2. As well as good value roaming rates for voice calls, MAXroam have now included data within their packages. For example, US voice call roaming costs from €0.39 per minute whereas data will start at €0.005 per Kb. They’ve also improved their online store, and added new video guides, and auto topup of your account.
They’ve also increased their coverage to over 150 countries and 450 networks (although there are currently “only” 75 countries which support data roaming).