TomTom iPhone app updated

TomTom has released an updated version of the TomTom iPhone application for the UK and Europe. The update to v1.2 is available via iTunes now, and offers:

• Updated maps (v8.3 to v8.5), POI, cameras and IQ Routes


• Text-to-speech road name announcements


• Added Advanced Lane Guidance


• Customisable audio warnings for cameras / speed limits

We've seen reports that come users are seeing crashes after upgrading to this version - the official advice for those hit by this are to delete the application from your iPhone, then re-install from iTunes.

We have a review of the TomTom iPhone app, plus our 'best buy', the CoPilot app, on our iPhone SatNav Review page.

Nintendo Wii gets iPlayer

From today, the BBC iPlayer is available as a dedicated channel for the Nintendo Wii.

To add the channel, go to the Shopping channel on your Wii, and look for the BBC iPlayer channel. It's free, and lets you access BBC TV and radio shows from the last seven days, streamed over your Broadband connection.


BBC iPlayer on the Wii

Joggler price slashed

o2 has today slashed £50 off the price of their home communication device, the o2 Joggler.

Previously on sale for £149.99, it's now just below the £100 mark, and at that price, it's well worth a look. If you're not that familiar with a Joggler, it's a wi-fi enabled device that is a cross between a digital photo frame, media player, family diary, digital radio and a news/sport/weather/travel update service.

Dropping below the £100 price bracket for this device is a smart move from o2, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Details on the o2 Joggler site, or on our Joggler Reviewed section.

Nintendo Wii to get BBC iPlayer channel

The popular BBC iPlayer on-demand TV service is coming to the Nintendo Wii on the 18th of November.

You'll be able to download BBC iPlayer as a dedicated channel, available from the Nintendo shop. The channel will be free.

It's been possible to watch the on-demand content via the Opera web browser, but the quality wasn't great. The new dedicated iPlayer channel should offer a higher-quality viewing experience, and adds to the ways that you can watch BBC's on demand content. More on BBC iPlayer

50% off o2 Mobile Broadband

For the next few days, you can pick up one of o2's Mobile Broadband dongles for half-price - Just £14.67.

The o2 USB dongle is a contract-free way of adding mobile Internet to your laptop. Full details of how to use the dongle on our o2 Mobile Broadband page.

The o2 Mobile Broadband USB dongle - only £14.67 if you order online before 24th November 2009 at broadband.o2.co.uk/mobile

o2 Joggler Internet Radio

o2 is in the process of rolling out a new version of firmware to add Internet radio to their o2 Joggler device.

Our office Joggler automatically downloaded a new version of firmware yesterday, but all didn't go well, rendering our Joggler dead.

We've now managed to revive the Joggler, but when we check for a new version of firmware, we're told that we have the latest, version 6853.

At least one other Joggler user's had the update, but according to his post in the o2 Forum, it's slowed down his Joggler.

Anyone else out there with an o2 Joggler? Any luck in getting the latest version of firmware?

Windows 7 Launches

Windows 7, Microsoft's attempt to recover face after the generally unpopular Vista, launched today, the 22nd October 2009.

The new operating system offers a number of user interface changes, including the ability to interact with thumbnail previews, improved app maximising and tiling, aero shake to clear your desktop, faster access to common files with Jump List plus easier home network setup. Improved touchscreen support has been added, and there's also a Windows XP mode for those running older software apps.

Shoudl you want to upgrade to 7, you can upgrade to Home Premium from £65. At the top end, Windows 7 Ultimate normally retails for £230, but is on Amazon for £158. Windows 7 on Amazon.

iPhone OS 3.1.2 released

Apple's just released an upgrade for iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS users.

iPhone OS 3.1.2 fixes an issue where iPhone doesn't wake from sleep, an issue that may interupt network connectivity and occasional crashed during video streaming.

Update (a whopping 242 Meg!) is now available via iTunes.

Portable Wi-fi Base Stations now available

At last, you can now get a wi-fi base station in your pocket.

If you're out-and-about and need mobile Internet, there have been three options open to you: Use a mobile phone, get a USB mode for you laptop, or hope you're in range of a wi-fi hotspot.

Now, there's a fourth option - a portable wi-fi access point. UK Network Operator 3 has now launched "MiFi", a mobile Wi-fi service. The modem, a Huawei E5830 pictured to the right, is a 3G modem that gets a mobile broadband connection from the 3 network, then turns it into a wi-fi signal that any wi-fi device can find and use for Internet connection.

The modem costs a one-off £70, and £15 a month will get you 5Gigs of download allowance. There's no long-term contract - it's a rolling monthly contract.

More details on our new Mobile Wi-fi page, or at 3's MiFi website

Podcast Update - iPhones, Sat Nav and Mergers

Our podcast boys have just released a quick audio update, as there are a couple of news stories that we wanted to pass on to you as soon a possible.

In this show, we look at the plans for Orange and T-Mobile to merge, Apple's new product lineup, an update on the Sat Nav apps for iPhone, plus news on Freeview, BT Vision and Sky.

You can download the show or listen online at www.frequencycast.co.uk/update.html

We'd also like to remind our regulars that you may want to check out our full-length podcast that came out at the start of the month. In Show 43, we get hands-on with some new GPS gadgets. We hope you like what you here. Catch the show at www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast43.html

Please tell your chums!

CoPilot for iPhone now with safety cameras

The battle to be the best sat nav app for the iPhone continues with a new update to CoPilot Live from ALK Technologies. They've released a free update to their sat nav application, adding support for safety cameras, and fixing that rather nasty bug where routes were lost when the application exits.

CoPilot Live continues to get our 5 out of 5 - See our iphone Sat Nav comparison table to see why we feel it beats TomTom and MobileNavigator for the best of breed iPhone app.

CoPilot is also the smallest app, as well as being the cheapest on offer.

More: iPhone Sat Nav Apps compared

T-Mobile and Orange to form super-network

Mobile Phone firms T-Mobile and Orange are set to merge, it's just been announced.

Due to the complexities of such a merger, the super-network won't come into being until 2011 at the earliest, and is still subject to regulator approval.

Assuming the deal goes ahead, the new company would control around 37% of the UK mobile phone business, making them the largest UK operator by a long way with around 28 million customer. (Current number 1 o2 is said to have 20 million subscribers).

Merging the two networks will also mean changes to the network - some duplicated cellbases will be removed, and the combined network will see an increase in coverage.

There will doubtless be other changes - to high street shops, duplicated call centres and back-end departments, and of course a new name, which won't be announced for about a year or so.

Podcast: FrequencyCast 43 out now

Show 43 of FrequencyCast, our UK's TV and Tech podcast, is online now.

In FrequencyCast Show 43, Carl and Pete look at GPS Watches, Mobile Phone watches and GPS gadgets. We also compare the new iPhone Sat Nav apps from TomTom, CoPilot and Navigon, plus run down the latest TV and Tech headlines.

If you've not tried our podcast yet - it's free, and you can listen online or download shows to your mobile phone or media player

You can download Show 43 direct to your MP3 player or listen online at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html.

You can also get us via iTunes.

Garmin 405 - Top GPS Sports Watch

We've just added a page looking at what you can do with a GPS-enabled wristwatch.

Our top watch is the Garmin Forerunner 405, which has onboard GPS, can track your heartrate using a chest strap, and wirelessly sends your excercise and location data to your PC.

The Garmin 405CX was also rated #1 Sports Watch in this week's Gadget Show on Five.

Full details of the Garmin 405 GPS Watch, at www.filesaveas.com/gpswatches.html

Sat nav for the iPhone - TomTom and CoPilot Compared

iPhone users can now get their hands on a Sat Nav application for considerably less than the cost of a stand-alone Sat Nav device. In fact, as of this month, there are now three on the market: TomTom, CoPilot and MobileNavigator.

If you're thinking of getting a SatNav app for the iPhone, take a look at our comparison...

TomTom and CoPilot iPhone apps, side-by-side

We've got hands-on with the top two, and we've added a handy table comparing the features, plus a small collection of screenshots.

To find out which of the UK Sat Nav apps may work best for you, go to www.filesaveas.com/iphonesatnav.html.

A look at Mobile Phone Watches

An interesting month for Mobile Phone watches. Orange has just released their Watchphone, manufactured by LG. The watch, priced at £500 in the UK is a litte pricey, but is an impressive piece of kit. At the moment, to get one, you need to go to Orange's store in Central London.

However, for less than half the price of the LG Watchphone, you can get an unlocked watch phone, the SWAP watch (pictured to the right).

The SWAP has a touch screen, supports video and audio recording, is a hands-free speakerphone, and is a nifty bit of kit. It'll be getting a mention in our September 2009 podcast (we featured it last year too)


We take a look at the SWAP Watch and the Orange LG Watchphone on our new Mobile Phone Watches page at www.filesaveas.com/watchphones.html

Two new Sony Readers on the way

Two new Sony Readers have been just been announced.

eBook reader fans will soon be able to get a more pocketable version of the Sony Reader, with a smaller 5 inch screen - The PRS-300.

The other Reader, the Sony Reader PRS-600 has a touchscreen, and comes with a stylus to allow you to add handwritten notes.

With around half a million new books now available courtesy of Google, there's a lot of electronic book content now available, making eBooks are much more attractive option.

The new Readers are available to pre-order now at Waterstones.

More on eBooks and the Sony Readers at filesaveas.com/sonyreader.html

Sell your old mobile - prices compared

If you've got an old mobile you're no longer using, you might as well try to get a few quid for it.

There are a bunch of companies out there that will exchange your old mobile phone for cash, and now we've made things just a little easier for you. We've now added a handy comparison service to our site that will allow you to enter your phone's make and model, then show you which of around half-a-dozen companies will give you the best cash back.

Try it out now at www.sellyouroldphone.co.uk.

Mobile Broadband half price offer

Between now and August the 4th, you can pick up an o2 Mobile Broadband USB dongle for half-price.

Pick up the o2 Mobile Broadband dongle for just £14.67. Unlike some other mobile broadband services we could mention, o2 lets you pay for a day or week's usage as you need it using a credit card, which makes this a good deal.

We've reviewed the o2 mobile dongle on our o2 Mobile Broadband page, and until the 4th August 09, you can get it half-price at broadband.o2.co.uk/mobile

One-for-all phone charger on the way

Finally.

It looks like an agreement has been made between 10 of the leading mobile phone makers to come up with a one-for-all charger. No more scronging an obscure Motorola charger, and a lot less waste. Manufacturers signed up include these scheme Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Apple, Motorola and RIM.

We should start seeing common connectors, based on the micro USB, from next year