It looks like it's going to get tough out there for the mobile operators ...

It looks like it's going to get tough out there for the mobile operators. People like Truphone, Rebtel, Roam4free, Fring and others are coming up with new and innovative ways to cut the cost of calling from mobile phones, particularly for international calls. Using the Internet to deliver the call enables these people to slash the cost of calling. As they start to take market share it will be interesting to see how the mobile operators respond.

Skype - improved voice quality

Skype 3.2 Beta has just been released. It contains a number of new features including a payment feature using PayPal, video snapshot and simple account management. However what's probably the key benefit for most people is improved voice quality, which strangely has been little publicised.

More information on the release can be found here.

You can download it here.

Keep your mobile content safe

Just come across ZYB which allow you to backup and manage your mobile phone contacts and other content online. It allows you to keep your contacts synchronised between ZYB and your phone or phones, if you've got more than one. Several other neat features include the ability to send messages (email or SMS) to your contacts asking them to update their details. I've got it working on two handsets and it makes editing contacts much easier. And .... it's free forever!

Test out your broadband for Internet calling

Wondering how well your broadband and router will support Internet calling (VoIP)? Test your connection at TestYourVoIP.com.

Spyware Doctor 5.0 - update

I've just downloaded the latest release of Spyware Doctor 5.0 and installed on one PC. All seems fine so watch this space ....! PC Tools (the Spyware Doctor people) suggested doing this as it's an updated version. No explanation as to what the issue was with the original version.

Nokia E65

I've just bought the new Nokia E65 smartphone on a 3 X-Series deal. What a great handset! Excellent features, small size, good build quality.

The X-Series package gives you unlimited web access for applications like Skype, Yahoo! search, Windows Live Messenger. It makes using the Internet on a mobile a viable proposition. Also, because it's a 3G handset, data applications are reasonably fast.

The handset also supports WiFi so you can make VoIP calls via a wireless router at home or via certain wireless hotspots out and about.

The handset uses the Nokia Series 60 operating system so there are lots of applications available. S60 is a good place to start.

Spyware Doctor 5.0 - beware!

If you get a message to download the new version of Spyware Doctor, my advice is don't. Yesterday I updated to version 5.0 on two PCs and both experienced the same problem. Very, very slow to start Windows and as soon as the Desktop appears the Remote Procedure Call service forces a system shutdown. The Taskbar never appeared at the bottom of the Desktop so I couldn't run System Restore. I tried Safe Boot & Safe Boot with Command Line prompt so I could run System Restore from the Command Line. None of these worked.

Eventually I worked out a solution:

1. Bring up the Windows Task Manager (via Ctrl-Alt-Del)
2. Select File, New Task (Run)
3. Enter 'shutdown -a' in the Create New Task dialogue box, when the System Shutdown dialogue box appears (and each time it appears as it will probably keep coming back)
   
4. In the Create New Task dialogue box enter 'control' to bring up the Control Panel
5. Select Add or Remove Programs
6. Remove Spyware Doctor 5.0
7. Reboot
   

The PC then rebooted okay. I just had to resize the Taskbar & reselect my toolbars. Otherwise everything seems fine. If I can find out what caused this problem I'll post an update.

Joseph Finder

I've recently discovered a great author who seems to have a low profile in the UK. Joseph Finder writes novels around the themes of international and corporate espionage. Joseph's background and connections in international politics clearly allows him to write with authority in these areas. Despite being novels his books betray a degree of prescience about international affairs which is certainly intriguing. His website is worth a visit for some background info.

You can find his books at Amazon.co.uk. One thing I have spotted is some of his books have been re-published with new titles so beware!

GrandCentral - the future of telephony?

GrandCentral launched recently in the States. It provides one number that rings all your phones so you never miss a call again. Take a look at this video on the New York Times website to get an idea of what it offers.

Although only available in the States and Canada at the moment it gives a view of what's possible and what we can expect in the UK soon.

These are some of the great features you get with GrandCentral.

• One number for life
• Pick a number that will not change when you move or change jobs
• Customizable ring tones for callers
• Upload MP3s to play to callers instead of the standard ring
• Customize by caller
• Pick phones to ring, greetings to play and music to hear based on who is calling
• Listen in on voicemail
• Listen in on messages from any phone before answering
• Block callers
• Block telemarketers or annoying callers
• Voicemail everywhere
• Get voicemail online, through the phone or via email
• Screen Your calls
• Know who is calling every time, even for blocked numbers
• Switch phones mid-call
• Switch from mobile to office or home without callers being aware
• Voicemail storage
• Voicemail messages saved online for life

Witheld CLI?

Set Flextel's Call Notification feature and, each time you receive a call, you'll get an automated email. The email indicates the FleXtel number called, the date and time of the call and the caller's phone number (Calling Line Identity - CLI). What's really neat is that where the caller's number is withheld, FleXtel gives you the number minus the last three digits, to protect the privacy of the caller. If you know the caller's number you can guess who's called.

More info in the user guide on the FleXtel website.

Using your own domain name

Buying your own domain name is a great way to take control of your email. It allows you to personalise your email address (and website if you have one), change broadband provider without changing your email address and manage your emails to minimise the problems of spam.

Whenever I sign up for or purchase something online, I use a unique email address for that particular merchant or organisation . This way I can track what happens to my email address; find out if the company has passed it on for example. If it gets spammed I can block the email address simply and quickly.

It's important to source your domain name from a provider that lets you manage multiple email accounts online.

And the cost? £2.59 + VAT per year from 123-reg. The combination of functionality for managing email addresses for all the family plus competitive prices is excellent.

Gizmo SMS

Not sure what's going on with Gizmo SMS but none of the messages I've sent have been delivered. When it starts working I'll let you know.

What is your TQ?

Take the test! Test your technology quotient and find out how much you know about technology.

Take the test at What is your TQ? I guess I should be pleased to find my rating is 'techy genius'! Post your own ratings by commenting to this post.

What's going on at Skype?

What's going on at Skype - they seem to be falling further & further behind the competition & moving away from what we all thought they wanted to be - different ...

• Uncompetitive SkypeOut rates
• Very limited choice of UK area codes for SkypeIn
• Call connection charges
• Skype Prime - premium rate stuff with a huge Skype rake-off
  

Is this really the way to build customer loyalty? Very mysterious!

Free SMS to any mobile worldwide

Last year nearly a trillion SMS (text) messages were sent.

Now SIPphone has done it again with another innovative service. This time you can send free SMS from GizmoSMS. Just enter the recipient's phone number and your message and click send.

Launched today it seems a little slow but should settle down. For more details have a look at Michael Robertson's article which gives the background on how the service will work. Potentially disruptive for the mobile operators and people like Skype.

What's on your PC?

Ever wondered exactly what software is installed on your PC and what the system configuration looks like? The Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status and displays the results in your Web browser.

A good tip here is to print out the Belarc report so if you do suffer a major PC failure you have something to work from.

Managing your email

Buying your own domain name is a great way to take control of your email. It allows you to personalise your email address (and website if you have one), change broadband provider without changing your email address and manage your emails to minimise the problems of spam.

Whenever I sign up for, or purchase, something online, I set up an email address for that particular merchant or organisation. This way I can track what happens to my email address; find out if the company has passed it on, for example. If it gets abused I can block that email address simply and quickly.

And the cost? Depends who you buy from but £2.59 + VAT per year from 123-reg. Their combination of functionality for managing email addresses for all the family plus competitive prices is excellent.

Searching the web

Google's great but if you want an 'alternative' search try Ms Dewey. She's got an interesting take on searching the web and she's very impatient if you take your time! And as for the scary expressions .......

Have you checked your credit report?

If you haven't checked your credit report recently it's worth visiting annualcreditreport.co.uk. Here you can request a free copy online of your credit report and check there are no errors or other problems with your data. The site also provides useful advice on other financial issues including identity theft.

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