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TVcatchup.com Service launches on iPad

Posted by Admin on June 9th, 2010 No Comments

tvcatchup.com is an Internet based TV service which allows UK based users to watch TV through their Internet Browsers on a variety of devices From Full desktop Pc’s through to mobile devices like the iPod.

TVCatchup.com have recently launched an optimised version of their streams specifically  for the iPad, providing access to many of the most popular Free View stations.

Point your iPads browser at http://ipad.tvcatchup.com/ and register for free to enjoy the service.

In addition it’s worth mentioning that TVcatchup.com have added additional streams to their main Desktop browser service, offering different quality of video so you can choose the most appropriate one for your bandwidth.


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Posted in Technology, streaming media

The Dangers of High Costs for Data on Smartphones when abroad

Posted by Admin on June 2nd, 2010 No Comments

With the World Cupjust around the corner, many Football Fans will be travelling to South Africa to watch the event, and with SmartPhones becoming an important part of everyday life many fans will be expecting to use the mobile Internet to keep in contact with Friends and Family, but will they be aware of the costs.

Many smart phone users won’t be aware of the huge difference in costs for mobile data when using their device on a roaming network, but as highlighted by the Customer Focus Website, even uploading a single picture to Facebook can prove to be expensive.

To upload a meg picture in South Africa will cost the following for contract users:

  • 3UK – £1.25
  • 02 - £6
  • Orange £8
  • T-Mobile  – £7.50
  • Tesco – £8
  • Virgin £5
  • Vodafone – Currently £14.99  From 15/06/10 £3

Theres a massive difference in price across suppliers so anyone heading to the World Cup should shop around. 

On an important side note, any Windows users who are using the Mobile Internet when working abroad should turn off Windows Updates – otherwise they may unwittingly pick up a massive bill.


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Posted in Technology

Three UK Announces Data Plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G

Posted by Admin on May 25th, 2010 No Comments
  • Three UK today announced it will offer dedicated data plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, beginning May 28.

All data plans will be available without a contract, providing the freedom to activate or cancel a plan at any time.
iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface.

 iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds — thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook — and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.

 
“Three is pleased to offer competitive data plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G in the UK,” said Marc Allera, sales and marketing director at Three. “Our network, the largest in the country, has been optimized for the mobile Internet, ensuring our customers enjoy the very best mobile performance on iPad.”

Two UK plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G have been announced by 3, 1GB for £7.50 per month or 10GB for £15.00 per month.



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Posted in Technology

3 to launch the HTC Wildfire on their Network

Posted by Admin on May 20th, 2010 No Comments

The HTC is a cost effective Android 2.1 based smartphone with a 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen.

The camera’s on HTC have improved over the last year and the Wildfire is no exception with it’s Five-megapixel camera with auto focus and LED flash.  The Wildfire also includes a standard 3.5mm audio jack so you won’t need an adapter  to plug in your headphones.

The HTC Wildfire includes the HTC Sense interface so that keeping up with your social networks and instant messaging is very easy.

Not all Android phones have to be expensive to provide top of the range features.

The HTC Wildfire will be available from 3uk shortly.



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Posted in Technology

How to add WiFi Broadband Internet to your car

Posted by Admin on May 4th, 2010 No Comments

Many of you will wish that you had WiFi available in your car, and you aren’t alone, a recent 72 Point survey concluded that :

  • 71 per cent of British people believe portable Wi-Fi access in a car, where up to five passengers can connect to Wi-Fi devices, would be useful for work and entertainment while travelling
  • Car travel with children is so painful that 54 per cent of British travellers would rather stay home and avoid discovering the UK by road
  • What’s worse is that almost 10 percent would rather have root canal therapy than endure car travel with the kids
  • The M25 is considered the most tedious motor journey by 40 percent of British people, followed by the M1 (22 per cent) and the M6 (20 per cent)
  • 8 out of 10 parents have battled with kids when travelling by car because they get bored or restless if left without entertainment
  • 60 per cent would be more likely or would consider travelling in a taxi with Wi-Fi
  • One in three British people (34 per cent) would use In-car Wi-Fi for social media purposes and emailing friends, followed by one in five (21 per cent) for work purposes and one in six (18 per cent) to stream online videos (eg BBC iPlayer and YouTube)

3uk are providing a cost effective method of providing in car Wifi, they have released a special version of their MiFi (a Huawei E5830 Mobile Internet Router) that includes an in car power adapter. The MiFi provides Wifi Connectivity so it’s easy to connect Laptops, iPods and even portable Games consoles, proving access to Social Networking, Traffic Updates, email, online gaming etc, from your car seat.

Suddenly those long car journeys don’t seem to quite that bad


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Posted in Technology

3 launch Google Maps Navigation on their Android Handsets

Posted by Admin on April 23rd, 2010 No Comments

3 have become the latest of the UK based Mobile phone networks to enable Google Maps Navigation across their network.

The tool which is integrated into the existing Google Maps application uses the internal GPS functionality on the phone handsets to help you find your destination and includes step by step voice navigation along side the latest live traffic news.

Converging technology can produce interesting applications, and the synergy of GPS and live 3g data can help you plan the best route and can really help you have better, quicker and hassle free journeys.

If you have an Android phone then down load the free application from the Android Market.


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Posted in Technology

Splat a Rat – A great stress relieving game for the iPhone

Posted by Admin on April 9th, 2010 No Comments

There are many games available for the iPhone and iPod touch from the Apple iStore, some are good and some are not so good, and with so many available there’s a risk that you might miss a great game.

I’ve come across a great little game called Splat a Rat, which is easy and fun to play, and a great stress reliever.

The game comes with 4 variations but each one involves splatting rats, imagine your finger is a giant hammer and you have to hit the on-screen rats, to often gory effect.

There are several different types of rat to splat, from rats with dynamite on their back that causes large explosions to rats strapped to jet packs which when hit fly off around the screen and kill any other rat that they touch, and watch out for Zombie Rats.

There are 4 different variations of the game to play:

Kill Kill Kill – where you have to kill as many rats as possible in 60 seconds

Save the cheese – where you have to save  cheese segments from the rats for as long as possible.

Population attack – where you have to keep the number of Rats on screen below 60 for as long as possible.

Zombie Attack – where you have to protect the non-effected rats from the zombie rats for as long a s possible.

Having 4 versions of the game add important variety and helps add fresh challenges to the game. Splat a Rat is a fun game and the key to it’s fun is its simplicity, if you see a rat –  SPLAT IT

To download Splat a Rat search for splatarat through the app store or click here.



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Posted in Music, Technology

The Samsung Galaxy Portal with Augmented Reality is launched in the UK

Posted by Admin on March 31st, 2010 No Comments

3UK have launched the Samsung Galaxy Portal smartphone  into the UK Market.

The 13.2mm thick Samsung Galaxy Portal comes  with the Android Operating System (Version 1.5) which whilst not the most up to date version is certainly polished, powerful and easy to use.

Augmented Reality is finding a home on the new wave of Smartphones and The Samsung Galaxy Portal features Layar – the popular augmented reality application which combines the phone’s camera, compass and GPS data to gives you information about where you are like your nearest petrol station or cash point.

Android provides plenty of customisation options and the Samsung Galaxy Portal provides 10 home screen for your applications and Widgets, show your iPhone owning friends android widgets and watch them turn green with Envy.

Whilst there are other more powerful Android phones out there, this handset provides a cost effective way to enter the Android market.

The Samsung Galaxy Portal is available from 3UK in red & black or white & green from £20 a month with unlimited internet, texts and 200 anytime any network minutes on a 24month contract and costs £184 on Pay As You Go.


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Posted in Technology

Video Quality of the Kodak Zx1 Digital Video camera

Posted by Admin on March 28th, 2010 No Comments

In this article I went through the unboxing of the Kodak Zx1, and in this post we will share examples of the quality of the video that the device records.

The  Kodak Zx1 can record video in VGA, and 720p high definition quality and can also be used as a traditional digital camera to capture still photographs at 3mp.

Image Quality.

The following still image was taken with the Kodak Zx1 (click to enlarge)

When used a digital camera the image quality isn’t bad and is fine for everyday use but doesn’t compare to  a high end dedicated digital camera.

Video Quality

The Kodak Zx1 has 3 video modes, VGA, 720p at 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps. For every day use if you want to capture HD video then 30fps is great, and you will be able to store approx 20 mins for every Gb of storage you have available on your SD card.

The following video is an example of video recorded on the Kodak Zx1 in VGA mode:

The following video is an example of video recorded on the Kodak Zx1 in 720p at 30fps:

The following video is an example of video recorded on the Kodak Zx1 in 720p at 60fps:


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Posted in Technology

The Unboxing of the Kodak Zx1 Digital Video Camera

Posted by Admin on March 27th, 2010 No Comments

The Kodak Zx1 is a pocket sized digital camera that is capable of recording 720p High Definition at 60fps. We will shortly be featuring an article on the quality of the video from the first here’s whats in the box.


The bright and colourful packaging.

When you open the box the first thing you see if the camera separated from the accessories.

Disappointingly the accessories are wrapped and thrown into the bottom of the box rather then being separated by partitions.

In the box you will find the Camera, a USB connection cable,  an AV connection cable, 2 rechargeable batteries and charger, a carry case, spare battery cover and a wrist strap.

On the right hand side of the camera theres the SD card slot (SD card not included)

On the left hand side of the Camera you will find the power socket, usb connection and HDMI port.

The battery compartment is found on the rear of the camera.

A memory card inserted into the camera

The Kodak Zx1 with wrist strap and carry case.


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Posted in Technology
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