Geeks-on-Wheels
Jamie Shaw of Geeks-on-Wheels knows what’s new in computerland
Supermarket iPhone apps
Sainsbury’s has moved into mobile e-commerce with the announcement of two new iPhone apps. One application is for the supermarket and the other is for the loyalty scheme Nectar, which gives customers access to exclusive bonus point offers. The Sainsbury’s app is free and includes a store locator, a list of deals in store, news and personalised offers. The Nectar app is intended for people who shop in Sainsbury’s and Homebase and provides access to offers for more loyalty points. Both apps are available on iTunes.
ISP threat help
Virgin Media is aiming to tackle the spread of malware by educating its customers about how to defend against the latest threats. The company’s Internet Security team is writing to customers whose computers show signs of infection, offering advice on ways to scan the system and remove any malicious content. Customers who need additional help are being urged to contact Virgin Media’s Digital Home Support which offers a remote virus removal service.
TalkTalk has also been busy on malware protection software, but has faced criticism from privacy groups after it was alleged that sites viewed by its customers were being tracked to help build an effective malicious site blocker. The ISP was subsequently dubbed ‘StalkStalk’. Malware reached its highest ever levels in the first half of this year, according to stats from McAfee, which urged the industry to go on the offensive in the fight against cyber criminals. If you think you have a virus or spyware issue why not try Geeks-on-Wheels, we are very local and user friendly.
Bigger hard drives
Toshiba have developed a break through in data storage that it says paves the way for hard drives with vastly higher capacity than today. Toshiba’s prototype media has been built at a density equivalent to 2.5 terabits per square inch. Toshiba’s current highest capacity drive has a density of 541 gigabits per square inch. Toshiba expects the first drives based on the new, bit-patterned media technology, to hit the market around 2013.
Broadband sewage
Bournemouth’s sewers were to be used to lay a fibre optic network providing fast broadband throughout the city however now one of the partners has pulled out of the deal. The utility company Wessex Water, who control access to the sewers, have pulled out of the deal with the 3i Group saying there were contractual and methodology problems.
On the other hand the i3 Group have responded angrily accusing the water company of greed and dismissing its concerns over the technical challenges in laying fibre pipes through the sewer system as without merit. Known as the Fibrecity project, the plan is to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband to selected cities providing the potential of 100Mbps connections.
Bournemouth was chosen to be the first UK Fibrecity, while a separate project is also underway in Dundee in Scotland. The i3 Group has confirmed that plans to develop Fibrecity Bournemouth will continue despite Wessex Water’s withdrawal, with the company now aiming to deliver the service via cables laid just below street level.
New iPad?
Rumour control has it that Apple is working on a smaller 7inch version of the iPad and that it will be released for Christmas 2010 sales.
