Openmoko Neo FreeRunner released

With more than a few people making hefty financial commitments to get their hands on an iPhone 3G, I thought I'd mention a phone that's been long awaited in the Open Source world. The Neo FreeRunner is the sequel to the Neo1973. Although lacking 3G, it boasts some impressive features such as a 2.8" full VGA (640 x 480) touchscreen, 3D accelerated graphics, wifi, bluetooth, motion sensors, GPS and expandable sd memory. Most importantly, all the software is Open Source so developers are free to create any software they can think of and give it away to users all over the world from day one. Take that iTunes App Store!

Replacing your internet connection with 3G

Many of the mobile network operators in Ireland provide high-speed internet over 3G. It's popularity stems from the fact that not everyone can get broadband through phoneline, cable or fixed wireless. With the offerings from Vodafone, O2 and 3 you can get reasonably fast internet at a flat rate price in a form that is as mobile your, well, mobile. As well as being more widely available, it has the added benefit of not requiring line rental. In fact, 3's offering is less than eircom's line rental alone. They all use the same HSDPA technology and the only differentiating factor is the network. Here's a quick guide:

3
Price: €19.99 pm
Setup: €49.99
Cap: 10GB
Contract: 12 month

O2
Price: €30 pm (€15 for first 3 months)
Setup: €39
Cap: 10GB
Contract: 12 month

Vodafone
Price: €29.99 pm (€14.99 for first 3 months)
Setup: €39
Cap: 10GB
Contract: 12 month

All contracts are for monthly bill pay. There are Pay As You Go variants available, but they are more expensive.

These bundles will get you the most basic USB modem available from each network. This is fine if you are only using a single PC. But what if you want to share the connection? Like with a game console, other PC's or internet radio? The hackers among us could build their own wireless linux router from an old PC and free software. But for sheer convenience, a 3G wireless router cannot be beaten.

O2 sell a router as part of a business product. For what it is, the price is insane.

Linksys make a router that works with the apparently defunct Vodafone PCMICIA card. Pricey and limited.

There are more on the market, but my favourite is the Dovado UMR.

At €85 excluding VAT plus €25 in flat rate shipping, this is a great little router that works with lots of different USB modems for less than €135. It comes with the correct settings for each network, so setup is a breeze.

So even if you are stuck in a broadband black hole, don't despair. A cost effective solution is within reach, and while it may not be as smooth an experience as it's pricier cousin DSL, it is certainly nothing to be sniffed at.

Early adopters burned again: Jesus Phone MK2

Ow... sore head. But what a great weekend! Hope you guys had as much fun as I did!

Had to have an iPhone on launch day? Or thought you were getting a bargain when the price tumbled before Christmas? Well, somewhat surprisingly, Apple are going to sell the new iPhone 3G for pretty much what it costs to make. $199 for the 8GB model or the slightly more extravagant $299 for the 16GB model ($100 for 8GB of memory? Please. We know better). Considering that it has wifi, gps and hsdpa built in, that makes this a steal. And because this is a blog for smart consumers, I'm sure you won't have any trouble figuring out how to unlock it when the time comes.

Chances are you will need to import. Even though they say it will be available worldwide at the same price, they neglect to say whether it can be bought outside the US sans contract. Still this is your chance to visit that stupid Apple cube in New York. Yay.

And that is probably the last time you will see an Apple product mentioned in this blog. But who knows? Maybe they've turned over a new leaf, as it were.

Release date is July 11.
Make a note.

Print your own coupons and more

Want to get a little something back from your shopping? Fancy entering a few competitions? You can't go wrong with pigsback, the Irish and UK based shopping rewards website. You earn "piggypoints" by printing out and using discount coupons in shops, reading special offers or participating in short quizzes. You then spend these on a list of rewards which range from cdwow vouchers to phone credit to free flights!

Ps. They do have a referral system but it involves having to know the new customers email so I'm not going to bother :P Just enjoy!

VoIP: Talk for less (or nothing)

I'm sure you've heard of VoIP by now, I see another player has announced their intentions to move into this space today. In a nutshell it means taking your calls off the traditional lines, like landline and mobile, and pushing them onto smart devices like your PC and PDA/smartphone connected to your internet provider. There are a couple of ways you can benefit today, depending on your needs. If you want an irish geographic number you can try blueface, freespeech or skype. If you just want to make calls to other users and the occasional mobile/landline call, you mind find gizmo does the job with its free calls to friends deal.

And don't be suckered by others selling VoIP packages bundled with their broadband or tv. It saves them money, not you!

photo by Babak Fakhamzadeh