In October 2007, the BT Home Hub software got an update, and a new service, called the “wi-fi community” service, was added. This is also known as BT Fon, and is a service that lets other people use your Hub to access BT’s network, in return for you being able to access other people’s broadband connections. If adopted widely, this could mean that people’s hubs become public access points, offering free wireless Internet access to BT Fon users.

As we cover in Show 20, and from what we’re seeing in our Home Hub forum, many aren’t happy with the idea of having their hubs turned into hotspots for other surfers, but others like the idea of an extended network of free access points.

Fon… Good or bad? Comments please

In mid-October, some of our listeners started reporting problems with UKTV History on Freeview. This coincided with the addition of a new channel, called Dave, and a reshuffle of the multiplex channels broadcasting channels 12 and 19. The fix is an easy one - you need to rebuild your channel lineup.

To get Dave and UKTV History, you need to rescan the channel lineup on your Freeview receiver to get these channels added to your channel list. After rescanning, you should find UKTV History on Channel 12 (from 7am to 6pm), and Dave on Channel 19 (replacing UKTV Bright Ideas).

The Analogue switch-off is upon us. In the early hours of this morning, the first part of the UK to switch to a digital service, lost its analogue BBC2. That part of the country, was Cumbria’s Whitehaven, in the North West of England. The transmitter, serving around 25,000 homes, made the switch at 2am, under the glare of the UK’s media. Whitehaven’s other channels will go by November, and the UK’s analogue telly finally vanishes in 2012. For more on the digital switch and what it means to you, download the MP3 of Show 7 of our online radio show.

Now here’s a question… why isn’t there a decent UK Podcast Chart, or an accepted list of the Top Ten UK podcasts?

As our regulars will know, we run a UK Tech podcast, and we’ve been increasingly curious about podcast listening habits.

Sure, there’s a published iTunes top ten podcast list, and a couple of the podcast directories offer listeners the chance to vote for their favourite podcasts, but if podcasting’s going to enter the mainstream, something like a podcast chart, best podcast list, or a decent UK-only ‘Best Podcast’ Guide. Anyone know of a decent resource?

As a podcast listener - how do you decide which podcasts to listen to? How do you find out about podcastsWhat directories or search tools do you use?

We’d welcome your comments…

BT has just released a new version of its wireless router, the Home Hub. This is BT’s new central access point for the home, offering wi-fi, VoIP telephony and access to video-on-demand with BT Vision. According to the blurb supplied by BT, the new redesigned hub will update itself automatically and has been redesigned to make it even easier for users to set up. You can connect multiple devices (such as desktop computers, laptops, gaming consoles) either via a cable or without using wires - all you need is a computer with wireless capability. You can connect external devices like the BT Hub Phone or an existing touchtone phone, so you can make cheap calls over the Internet.

We’ll be featuring the new BT Home Hub v1.5 in our November show, and we have some more info on our Home Hub page…

Those FrequencyCast boys have been at it again. This time, they’ve created an audio guide designed for those folk that have a BT Home Hub. This MP3 file includes advice on setting up wi-fi, improving reception, setting the clock and port forwarding, as well as answering a number of FAQs.

You can download our Unofficial Guide to the BT Home Hub as an MP3 at frequencycast.co.uk/guide.html

We’d love to have your comments!

 

 BT Home Hub Audio Guide [23:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As we reported in Show 19 of our podcast, BBC National radio stations Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4 are moving from Freeview Multiplex A to Multiplex B today (3rd October 2007) - This means that you’ll need to rescan the channels on your Freeview receiver to continue to get these channels.

Another FrequencyCast has just rolled off the press - you can now download Show 19 of FrequencyCast, the UK’s online TV and Tech radio show. In Show 19, released on the 1st of October, here’s what Carl and Pete discuss:

• News Updates: - A busy month for Freeview viewers, Apple news, Tiscali TV expands, an HD and VoD update, cashback for your old mobile, and a lightsabre for your Wii
• On Demand TV: We look at the various services offering TV programmes and films without having to wait for the schedule - We look at Virgin Media, BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Sky.
• Energy Meters: We review the Efergy meter that keeps a check on how much electricity your home’s using - displaying your consumption in pounds and pence, plus your CO2 consumption. Scary stuff.
• New Media Player: We look at the iAudio D2 , a tiny gadget with touchscreen, DAB radio, FM, photos, recorder and MP3.
• Your questions: Archiving video cassettes, streaming media, sat nav on mobiles, controlling TV volume with BT Vision, and how to turn off unneeded gadgets.

You can download Show 19 direct to your MP3 player, listen online, or view the show notes at www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast19.html.
After you’ve listened to the show, please have a read through the show notes - for details of getting cash for your old mobile, 5% off the iAudio, and details of the energy saving products we focus on in this show. View show notes

 

 FrequencyCast Show 19: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download