FrequencyCast UK - Show #46
The show notes to go with Show 46 of our online technology radio show.
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Listen to, or download, FrequencyCast Show 46 (31 mins)
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Show 46: NEWS
This show's news section covered the following stories:
Freeview HD Launch: Freeview HD launches on the 2nd of December 2009. BBC will be the only HD channel available at launch, and it will only be available in the Manchester and London areas only. The big issue for those looking to get Freeview HD is that there are no set-top boxes on the market capable of getting Freeview HD, and these aren't expected to be widely available until January. The race is on for the first HD box to appear on the market. We understand that Korean firm Kaon could have a box out before Christmas, with a Humax box, then a Philips-branded Pace box both set to appear early next year.
Freeview HD will be rolled out slowly over the next two-to-three years, with 50% of the UK set to get Freeview HD by June 2010. ITV HD and Channel 4 HD won't be launching their HD service until early next year. See our show notes for links to the Freeview HD timetable, and our HD FAQ, and Keep an eye on our news blog for updates this month.
o2 Joggler: We reviewed the o2 Joggler in Show 41 - a cross between a digital photo frame, fridge door, media player and a table-top content browser. O2's just made this more attractive - slashing the price to under £100 and adding an Internet radio app for free. There's an app store promised for this month. More details, and to get the Joggler at the reduced price, go to shop.o2.co.uk/joggler.
- TomTom for iPhone: The race for the best iPhone sat nav continues. TomTom has released a free upgrade offering text-to-speech, so it now reads out street names. See our review of the iPhone navigation applications at the FileSaveAs iPhone Sat Nav Apps Compared page.
- Wii and iPlayer: The BBC iPlayer now has its own dedicated Wii channel. Add the free channel and watch BBC shows for free on your Wii.
iPlayer on Freesat: Expect the iPlayer to be coming to Freesat in the next few weeks. We'll add details on how to get the iPlayer on a Freesat box on our site as soon as possible. We also understand that the ITV Player will be added to Freesat in the first half of 2010.
- BBC Radio online: The BBC is planning to launch an online radio service that will stream 400 BBC and commercial stations in the first half of next year.
- iPhone Virus: First reports of an iPhone worm are out - hitting users logging on to ING Bank. It only affects jailbroken iPhones. Details at The Register.
- Living TV 2 has rebranded to LivingIt
And Finally: Gadget hounds at Firebox have started a "Global Secret Santa" to try to get into the Guinness Book. Send a gift and message to a stranger, and get one back in return. Just £9. Someone out there will be getting a pressie from the team at FrequencyCast. Take part in the world's biggest secret santa today - go to globalsecretsanta.com.
FOCUS: Wi-Fi Hotspots
We discussed the ways to find and use Wi-Fi hotspots. Here are the links mentioned in the show:
- Check for BTOpenZone and BT Fon hotspots: bt.com/btfon/hotspots
- BT Fon Information: filesaveas.com/btfon.html
- The Cloud Hotspots: www.thecloud.net/for-you/Where
- JIWire Hotspot locator: v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm
- Total Hotspots Locator: totalhotspots.com
- BTOpenZone Security Advice: btopenzone.com/help/security/for-individuals.jsp
- How to use a VPN with a wi-fi hotspot: Check out this eHow Video
Wi-Fi Map from JiWire
Hands-on: Chumby
Initial expectations weren't high, but our Pete has now fallen in love with the Chumby, and Carl's not unimpressed either.
Chumby sits on your desk and pulls in data, photos, music and odd stuff from around the world via a wireless Internet connection. Touch screen, fully configurable, and surprisingly useful for keeping you in the know throughout the day.
 Chumby Twitter Widget |
 Chumby Facebook Widget |
 BBC News Chumby Widget |
 One of many clocks |
Check out our full UK Chumby Review, or read our transcript.
Chumby Availability:
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Hands-on: The Wand Remote
Take control of your life with a magic wand. An infrared remote control that you can flourish to control your TV, hi-fi and a range of other IR gadgets. A top gift for Harry potter fans, and the gadget guys and girls that are keen to impress.
Wand UK Availability:
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Cast 46: Interactive
Thanks to everyone who got in touch. In this show, we respond to the following mails and calls:
Home Hub and Windows 7: Robert Madsen called our podline number, 020 8133 4567, to ask for help with a BT Home Hub and Windows 7
- His BT disk doesn't seem to work with Windows 7. The good news is that you don't actually need to use the software supplied on CD by BT to get your Home Hub up-and-running, and in fact, it's better if you don't as some of the software is unnecessary. To access your Hub, go to a web browser on a connected machine and type bthomehub.home. Lots more help on the Home Hub at www.hubhelp.co.uk
- Freesat and Sky Dishes: Drew Trelore called our podline. He needed some advice on getting satellite TV and Freeview installed in a residential block of flats. We was wondering is a Sky dish could be used with Freesat. The good news is, that if you're considering installing a satellite dish, both Freesat and Sky use the same dish type, pointing at the same group of satellites, so getting a Sky dish will also allow access to the free-to-view satellite channels and Freesat. Your tenants can then choose between a Sky subscription or go for the free-to-view option.
Slingbox Infrared: Next, Robert Palmer from Birmingham called. He's having trouble changing channels on a Slingbox. Slingbox lets you control a set-top box over the Internet. If you can't control a device, first make sure your Infrared eyes from the Slingbox are pointing at the box sensors correctly, and secondly, check you're using the correct remote control codes. See support.slingmedia.com for a list of IR code numbers.
Mobile Broadband Signal: An email in from Mathew W, from Bedrock Radio, serving Queen's Hospital in Romford. Their station carries FrequencyCast. Matthew asks "on my iPhone, I get a weak phone signal here at the radio station. Would it be worth investing in an o2 Dongle despite the signal being weak?"
If your signal is weak on an o2 iPhone, it'll be weak with an o2 dongle too, I'm afraid. There are other mobile dongles out there, so it might make sense to check data coverage from other networks - if any of your friends have a 3 or a T-Mobile phone, see if their 3G coverage is better than your o2 coverage and if so, get one of their dongles. Also, get a Pay-as-you-go dongle, to test the coverage, otherwise you'll find yourself tied to a contract. More details: Mobile Broadband Options.
- Brian The Brian: We took a call from probably our youngest listener, Rebecca. She wanted to know how to add a friend to Brian the Brain. Here's how: Press the Function button to the right of the space bar, then use the cursor and scroll to left 13 times and find "Add a Friend". Then, press the Enter button.
Any questions for Carl & Pete? Got a comment on the world of TV and Technology?
Call 020 8133 4567 and leave a message and be heard on the show, or ask in our listeners forum.
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