Not-so-smart consumers

No Takebacks: 5 Most Screwed-Up Tech Buys

Really, they should have known better. Haven't eBay capitalised so well on their acquisition of Skype in 2005? Oh, you didn't know? Maybe that's because they've done bugger all with it.

Don’t Be Pound Wise but Penny Foolish

An article from December 07, probably written after an honest review of the Christmas blitz.

Three mobile broadband

Number one result for "awful purchase", or at least it should be. I've heard more complaints about Three Ireland than any other broadband provider and many even appear to be legitimate. There's a huge forum thread on it as well as a "company x sucks" site [actually this seems to have vanished, legal pressure?] and no shortage of cranky Irish bloggers.

[Special Offer] USB speakerphone, iBood

A Logitech QuickCall USB Skype Speakerphone to be precise. Don't be fooled by the name, this will work with more than just skype. You can use it for almost any VOIP application, as well as a cheap desk speaker for iTunes, streaming TV or a whole range of other applications. Would suit a small or home office but not the boardroom. Very useful little thing and a steal at €9.99

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