Archive for March, 2008

8MB Broadband in the UK

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

8meg speed is precisely the right kind of speed for most users. It is becoming the most favoured option by many, as its features and price are suitable for a vast majority of users. 8MB broadband supports high speed browsing, audio and video streaming, online shopping, VoIP, viewing standard and high-definition TV channels, etc. It is almost 160 times faster than a dial up Internet connection.

In the UK, 8MB super fast broadband was first launched by Bulldog. Now there are many providers offering this speed. AOL, BT, BE, Demon, Eclipse, Sky, Pipex, PlusNet, TalkTalk, Tiscali, Orange are some of them. Even with 8Mb speed, the usage allowance varies. Some of the packages of Eclipse, Pipex and PlusNet allow only 2GB download limit, while some others allow up to 100GB. There are a few other providers that allow unlimited downloads but users have to comply with the fair usage policy.
Though the speed is claimed to be 8MB, the distance between your home and the telephone exchange plays a crucial role in achieving good speed. 8MB broadband is available in major cities and few rural areas alone. There are plans to upgrade about 5300 exchanges in UK; this means that 8MB will soon reach more homes and businesses.

AOL Broadband making more inroads in the UK

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

AOL is the world’s leading interactive services provider. AOL (UK) Limited is the division that markets AOL’s products in the UK. Carphone Warehouse bought the ISP division of AOL UK in October 2006. It was voted No.1 for overall customer support in May 2007 by u Switch.com.

The wireless broadband connectivity services of AOL are AOL Broadband Wireless and AOL Broadband Wireless Plus. The latter option comes with optional AOL Talk, which allows either free evenings and weekend talk or unlimited talk. Speeds reach up to 8MB and download limits are 10 and 40 GB correspondingly. Connections are provided on contract for a period of 18 and 24 months and when you order online one month’s services are provided free of cost. No connection fees apply. The package includes a wireless router. A 24 hour online support is provided for all customers.

With the help of the wireless router it is possible to set up a home network and avoid cluttered wires. Up to 6 computers can be connected together and all can access the internet at the same time. AOL Broadband also offers ANYTIME – the dial-up product used to connect to the internet with a download speed of 56kbps. This provides unlimited online time with seven email addresses, anti-virus email scanning, pop-up blocker, spam filters and parental controls too. AOL anytime alone is offered as a one month free trial version.

What has invited rave reviews from consumers for AOL is the fact that they offer a  free phone number for customer service.
Special offers and free stuff are given away from time to time. They also have their own customised browser and provide a great variety of information ranging from news, sports, finance entertainment etc.

Face-Recognition Laptops from Toshiba

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

Toshiba, one of the top laptop manufacturer, has introduced a series of laptops, A300, P300, and U400, which recognizes the face and voice of the owners to let them login to their Windows. These three new satellite laptops from Toshiba will be built-in with their own face-recognition software which will be functioning through webcam and microphone to let the owner of the laptop to login.

This face-recognition software functions just like a normal password for Windows and will allow only those matching all features of face of the owner which was prefixed in them to login. Toshiba says that it cannot be fooled with replacing or using the pictures or masks of the owner.

This laptop comes with Intel Pentium Core2 Duo or AMD Athlon64. And the regular LCD monitor and other features to that of a regular laptop. This laptop also comes with a Harman Kardon speakers and soft touch buttons.

During the process of face-recognition, you don’t actually have to touch the keyboard at all. It also captures the picture of someone who tries to access the laptop without your knowledge, so that you can identify if someone who is known to you is indeed trying to access your laptop without your knowledge.

The price of these laptops start at around 600 Pounds. But the full sales these laptops will start only at the second quarter in UK soon.