Author: Andy Merrett
Last.fm music service comes to Vodafone
Vodafone has announced that it’s done a worldwide deal with Last.fm to bring scrobbling and social networking features to its customers’ mobile handsets.
Initially available on several Nokia handsets, including the N95, N96, N78 and 6210, with other handsets being added soon, the application will allow access to Last.fm’s social music features and online music profile…
Be Broadband steps up to the challenge, trial doubles 24Mbps service to near-match Virgin Media
Not to be outdone by Virgin Media’s 50Mbps broadband announcement yesterday, Be Broadband has completed its trials of speed-doubling technology which would take the current 24Mbps broadband up to 48Mbps – almost the same as Virgin Media’s theoretical top speed.
The trial ran at the London Paddington exchange, with Be customers reporting real download speeds of between 30-45Mbps.
Be is keen to point out that its service will run through standard BT phone lines…
Zattoo offers 30 days of free broadcast quality terrestrial TV via Internet
Zattoo, the live TV streaming service that launched back in April, is running a special Christmas promotion where all registered users can get free access to broadcast quality versions of four main UK terrestrial channels plus one digital channel.
For thirty days from today, live BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and BBC News 24 will be streamed at 576×528 pixel, 1.5Mbps bitrate via the Zattoo service…
Prevx develops Internet Explorer 7 fix for latest threat
Anyone who ignored this morning’s warning to abandon Internet Explorer 7 (and let’s face it, there are better things to be doing over lunch than changing your web browser) can instead rejoice that the first patch for the problem has been released by Prevx.
The web site states:
Prevx have developed a utility that users can run to enable and disable Microsoft’s suggested workarounds. This utility will allow you to disable the affected component of Internet Explorer until Microsoft release a patch via their windows update software.
Nokia patent takes E71 and adds swivel screen
Patents are fun. Sometimes they turn into something real, and other times they’re probably just the musings of an over-imaginative designer.
One of Nokia’s recent patents probably falls into the latter camp. It looks a bit like someone’s taken the Nokia E71 and added a wide touchscreen as large as the handset itself which can swivel into position when ready to use…
Sennheiser launches high-end in-ear phones
Sennheiser has announced a new professional line of in-ear earphones, the IE series, offering high quality, accurate sound for a range of budgets (well, except under £120).
The Sennheiser IE 6 are hi-fi earphones with enhanced bass and come in at £119.99. The Sennheiser IE 7 are classic hi-fi earphones with a balanced sound, for £169.99, while the top-of-line IE 8s are aimed at audiophiles and cost £249.99.
All feature high-end, accurate, pro-grade audio and are based on Sennheiser’s in-ear stage monitors, having a single driver to eliminate distortions, strong Kevlar cabling, metal carry cases, and a two year guarantee.
Virgin Media 50Mbps broadband: it's official
Virgin Media has finally announced the official rollout of its super-fast 50Mbps broadband service to over 12 million homes in the UK.
By the end of the year, around 40% of its network will have been upgraded to the new DOCSIS 3.0 network, with all 12.6 million subscribers expected to be able to access the new service by Summer 2009. The new service could eventually see maximum speeds of up to 200Mbps.
Existing Virgin Media customers can subscribe to the 50Mbps broadband service for £35 per month (assuming they already have an £11pm Virgin Media phone line). Alternatively, broadband on its own will cost £51 per month…
GO!VIEW adds tons of videos: PSP users needn't moan about nothing to watch over Christmas
GO!VIEW has just had hundreds of hours of video content added to it, so Sony PSP owners should have a much bigger range of films and programmes to watch this Christmas.
Content includes the latest TV series such as Lost and Heroes plus classic US and British series including Knight Rider, Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, Red Dwarf and I’m Alan Partridge…
Virgin Media: Mutli-screen VoD services "two to three years away"
Despite the increasing number of service providers offering video-on-demand services via cable or broadband, managing director of Virgin Media’s online operations predicts that we’re still two to three years away from ubiquity.
Alex Green, speaking at the Online TV and Video Forum in London, said that his company was working towards creating a “seamless, intuitive experience” spanning TVs, computers and mobile devices, but admitted that “VoD is not yet a fully-fledged family proposition” despite “the consumer… becoming increasingly sophisticated”.
“Our solution is to create a network in the home that delivers entertainment on demand to any screen in the house. This will take two to three years,” said Green…
Calling all Bach lovers: get a limited edition iPod with composer's complete works
Here’s a pretty amazing deal for anyone whose a big fan of Johann Sebastian Bach. The online classical download store Passionato has teamed up with Hanssler Classic to launch its limited edition 120GB iPod loaded up with Bach’s complete works.
The whole package, which includes a full DVD backup in case your iPod decides that it likes the German composer’s flavour, costs £499. The estimated cost of buying the complete works on CD is around £1,000, and a 120GB iPod classic costs £175, so you’re getting all that music (over 175 hours worth) for just over £300. Not bad if you’re a Bach nut…
